Mahayuti Alliance Faces Setback in BMC Election 2026

The Mahayuti alliance has suffered a significant setback in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections before voting even begins. The BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) failed to file candidates in four key wards—Ward 211 and 212 in South Mumbai, Ward 145 in Trombay-Chita Camp, and Ward 167 in Kurla West. This unprecedented oversight means these seats are effectively lost before polls commence.

Strategic Secrecy Backfires

To prevent internal rebellion, the Mahayuti kept candidate names under strict wraps until the last moment. However, this strategy proved counterproductive. Party officials called candidates late at night to collect nomination forms, creating confusion about seat-sharing arrangements. In the rush, the alliance failed to file dummy candidate applications, a standard safety measure. Technical issues further complicated matters, leaving four wards without any official Mahayuti representation.

Multi-Cornered Contests Emerge

With Mahayuti absent, these wards now feature multi-way contests involving opposition parties. Ward 145 sees a four-way battle between NCP (Ajit Pawar), Congress, and Shiv Sena (UBT). Ward 167 features Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Samajwadi Party. Ward 211 involves NCP (Ajit Pawar), Congress, and the Samajwadi Party, while Ward 212 hosts a three-way fight between Congress, MNS, and the All India Sena.

The alliance now contests only 223 of 227 seats instead of the full complement. To secure the 114-seat majority required in the BMC, Mahayuti must perform exceptionally well in remaining wards, facing increased pressure despite having fielded unopposed candidates elsewhere in the state.