Voting for Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections in Maharashtra will be held on January 15 and the results will be announced the very next day. The special thing is that elections are being held after almost a decade. According to the latest survey, this time Shiv Sena (Uddhav Bala Saheb Thackeray) is in a strong position. It is being said that women voters can also play a decisive role on many other issues including security.

In a survey conducted by Ascendia on December 25, it was asked that how much impact will the faces of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have in the elections? Regarding this, 4 percent of the women surveyed, 4 percent of Muslim voters, 2 percent of Marathi voters and 4 percent of others agreed. These four sections included in the survey will vote on the basis of the councilor’s work.

What did Muslim voters tell?
According to the survey, 12 percent Muslim voters say that they will vote for the party that fields a Muslim candidate, while 2 percent will vote for a candidate who is in a position to defeat BJP. 10 percent were seen in support of Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray alliance. In the survey, 11 percent were seen in favor of the Congress-led alliance, while 64 percent did not give any answer.

44 BJP candidates elected unopposed
Let us tell you that 68 candidates of Mahayuti had won unopposed till Friday. BJP leader Keshav Upadhyay said that 68 candidates of BJP and Mahayuti have been elected unopposed across the state, which shows the growing strength of the party in urban local bodies. Let us tell you that among the candidates elected unopposed, 44 BJP candidates are included, out of which the highest number is from Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation of Thane district.

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Bala Saheb Thackeray) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena had alleged that the ruling party was using money to remove opposition candidates. He had also made allegations of threatening.

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Shiv Sena (Uddhav Bala Saheb Thackeray group) and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) formally announced their alliance in the Joint Press Council today (29 December) regarding the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation elections in Maharashtra. This announcement was made in the presence of local leaders and workers of both the parties. With the announcement of the alliance, new activities are being seen in the politics of Chandrapur.

Municipality with 66 seats, 50-50 formula

Giving information, the leaders said that in Chandrapur Municipal Corporation with 66 members, both the parties will contest the elections on the formula of 50-50. There has been complete agreement between both the parties regarding the distribution of seats.

He said that the list of candidates is being finalized and will be made public soon, so that the election preparations can be started with full force.

Main goal is to defeat BJP

In the Patra Parishad, the leaders of both the parties clearly said that the main objective of this alliance is to defeat the BJP and make them mayor of the Municipal Corporation.

He said that this alliance is not just for power but has been formed for social justice, protection of democratic values ​​and all-round development of the city. Both parties expressed confidence that the public will view this alliance positively. It will also bring victory to this alliance.

Appeal for unity among workers

The leaders of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Bala Saheb Thackeray group) and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi appealed to their respective workers to forget their differences and come into the electoral fray unitedly. He said that it is necessary to convey the message of the alliance by going door-to-door, so that the common people can be told that this alliance will work in the interest of Chandrapur.

Since the announcement of the alliance, the stir in political circles has intensified. It is believed that this time the competition in Chandrapur Municipal Corporation elections will be very tough and the election battle is going to be very interesting.

The alliance between Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray is almost finalized before the BMC elections 2026. It was learned from sources that Thackeray brothers are going to announce their coming together through a press conference on Wednesday, 24th December. However, now there is talk of putting brakes on this alliance by Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), due to which the political temperature has become high in the opposition alliance party.

In fact, MNS’s stance is that the alliance should not be announced until seat sharing is complete and a final decision is taken from both sides.

Talks on seats are still going on

Actually, MNS soldiers are curious about when the alliance between Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena UBT and Raj Thackeray’s MNS will be announced. However, since the final talks on seat sharing are still going on and consensus has not yet been reached on some seats, there is talk of some delay in the announcement of the alliance.

Alliance should be announced only after resolving differences- MNS

Sources say that talks are still going on between the two sides on some seats. Wherever there are differences, efforts are being made to resolve them. Therefore, MNS has taken the stand that the alliance will not be announced until these differences are resolved.

Where is the disagreement between the Thackeray brothers?

According to the information received so far through sources, discussion is going on in MVA on Amrathi departments of Mumbai. Talks are going on as to what should be done in the Amrathi departments of Mumbai like Ghatkopar, Kandivali, Borivali, Mulund. At the same time, till now Raj Thackeray’s MNS has been given 65-70 seats. At the same time, Uddhav Thackeray is expected to have 145 to 150 seats. Apart from this, Sharad Pawar’s NCP SP may get 10-12 seats.

Mahayuti achieved a spectacular victory in the Maharashtra municipal elections. The opposition parties had to face a crushing defeat in this election. BJP emerged as the largest party in the Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections. Now BJP leader Ram Kadam has made a big claim explaining the reason for the opposition’s defeat.

BJP MLA Ram Kadam said that the opposition was repeatedly making excuses instead of paying attention to the election campaign. He said, “The opposition talked about postponing the elections, alleged vote theft, raised issues related to EVMs and voter lists and made many other excuses. These issues were raised only when they lost. The opposition hardly came out on the streets during the campaign. There were no rallies or contact with people at the grassroots level.”

‘Mahayuti had entered the elections with confidence’

He said that the Mahayuti alliance had entered the electoral battle with confidence and the mindset of victory. The result of this came out as a resounding victory. Ram Kadam also said that the success of BJP and its allies was attributed to the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the development work done in the entire state in the last few years. He said that the performance of the government in power laid a strong foundation for success, first in the assembly elections and now in the local body elections.

‘Success came from the work done in Maharashtra’

MLA Ram Kadam further said, “The work done in Maharashtra in the last few years under the leadership of Chief Minister Fadnavis led to tremendous success in the assembly elections. Due to these efforts and achievements, we gave excellent results in the assembly and from the very first day we carried the spirit of victory on our heads.”

‘People are getting benefits from government schemes’

Emphasizing on the government’s development agenda, the BJP MLA said that infrastructure projects and welfare schemes have benefited all sections of people, especially farmers. Roads are being built and farmers are getting benefits on a large scale. On the other hand, the opposition had entered the elections with the intention of losing from the very first day.

‘CM-Deputy CM were on the streets for campaigning’

MLA Ram Kadam said that the BJP leadership and alliance partners actively contacted voters. He said, “Our Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister were constantly on the ground, campaigning and holding big rallies. With courage, determination and hard work of our workers, we entered the election field with confidence. That is why we won and the opposition had to face defeat.”

The dates for BMC elections have been announced by the State Election Commission on Monday (15 December). Elections for 29 municipal corporations of Maharashtra will be held on January 15. Whose results will come on 16th January. Mahayuti has already started its preparations for this election. But the matter of Mahavikas Aghadi has not been settled yet. This time Congress is keeping distance from the Thackeray brothers. Mahavikas Aghadi seems to be in trouble regarding this.

Due to the increased closeness between the Thackeray brothers in recent times, the leaders of Shiv Sena’s Uddhav faction are now increasing their closeness with MNS only regarding the BMC elections. Somewhere, bypassing Congress, they are forming an alliance with MNS. Congress told that their preparations are complete. Among these 29 municipal corporations, political parties especially have stakes on TMC of Thane, PMC of Pune and the richest municipal corporation of Mumbai, BMC.

Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray faction showed its attitude to Congress

The picture of Mahavikas Aghadi is now visible only in name. Uddhav Thackeray’s army has now started showing its attitude towards the ally Congress. Sanjay Raut was continuously saying that we will talk to the high command regarding BMC elections. Now he says that the Delhi Congress high command has given the decision to the local Congress, the decision is theirs.

Don’t know about Mahavikas Aghadi but all the parties have started their respective meetings and preparations. Rounds of meetings are going on in Mumbai Congress. There are intense discussions that Congress is planning to contest the BMC elections alone.

In such a situation, on going with AIMIM and the indifference of Uddhav’s army, Maharashtra Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar, while talking to ABP News, said that there will be no BMC elections in Mumbai but in the remaining municipal elections, Shiv Sena will contest the elections along with UBT and MNS. That means we are not together in BMC elections but are together in other elections.

Sharad Pawar’s party cleared the picture

In such a situation, Sharad Pawar’s NCP, which is isolated, has avoided any controversy and has said that in this municipal election, the Nationalist Congress Party will contest elections everywhere in alliance with Mahavikas Aghadi.

In such a situation, one thing is clear from the statement of Mahavikas Aghadi that alliances are being used everywhere only after seeing their own benefit. The slogan of Mahavikas Aghadi is ‘We are together’ where there is loss and where there is need to be alone and dependent on others.

The dates of municipal elections in Maharashtra have been announced. State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare said that the code of conduct is being implemented in 29 municipal corporations from today (December 15). There is a plan to hold local body elections before January 31. Elections for all 29 municipalities including BMC will be held on January 15. The results will come on January 16. There will be 10 thousand 111 polling stations. Will use the list of July 1, 2025.

Candidates can file nomination for BMC elections from 23rd December to 30th December. Withdrawal of candidature can be taken till 2 January 2026. Election symbols can be distributed till January 3, 2026.

Activities of political parties intensify regarding BMC elections

The tenure of 27 municipal corporations in Maharashtra has ended. These elections are pending since 2022. These elections were to be held in the year 2022 itself but there was a lot of delay in it due to the issues of ward delimitation and reservation. The Supreme Court had issued instructions to complete the local body elections by January 31, 2026. After the announcement of elections, the political activities of all the political parties have intensified. Everyone has become more active in making their own strategies.

The country’s richest municipal corporation

BMC elections have been considered very important in the politics of the state. This affects the equations of state as well as national politics. BMC is the richest municipal corporation in the country. Its annual budget is quite big. In such a situation, all the political parties of the state have come together to exert their full strength to gain control over it. 227 corporators are elected in BMC.

Who will get how many seats in the 2017 elections?

In the 2017 BMC elections in Maharashtra, BJP had won 82 seats. Whereas 84 councilors of undivided Shiv Sena had won. Whereas Congress won 31 seats and NCP won 9 seats. The post of Mayor had gone to the undivided Shiv Sena.

However, now the entire political equation of the state has changed. Along with Shiv Sena, NCP is also divided into two groups. There are two alliances in the state, Mahayuti and Mahavikas Aghadi. Currently, there is a Mahayuti government in the state under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis. In such a situation, now everyone’s eyes are especially on BMC elections.

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi spoke openly on sensitive issues like ‘Vande Mataram’, ‘infiltration’ and ‘SIR’ in an interview given to ABP News. He said that BJP has succeeded in mainstreaming ‘Whatsapp History’ in the past years, due to which confusion was spread.

Actually, in the interview, Priyanka Chaturvedi expressed her views in detail on the ‘Vande Mataram’ controversy. He said that the truth on this issue has come out and the correct events, correct chronology is now in front of the public. He sarcastically said that after 2014, an attempt was made to create a ‘new history’ in which the ‘PhD holders’ of the university started deciding the history in the WhatsApp group. According to him, people who actually read and understand history celebrate Vande Mataram, while those spreading false narratives make it a subject of controversy.

There should also be discussion on Quit India Movement and freedom struggle – Priyanka Chaturvedi

Referring to the Rajya Sabha, Priyanka Chaturvedi said that she had also told the Chairman that if Vande Mataram can be discussed, then there should be a comprehensive discussion on the Quit India Movement and the freedom struggle. His allegation was that BJP has succeeded in mainstreaming ‘Whatsapp History’ in the past years, due to which confusion was spread.

People have now started understanding the politics of double character – Priyanka

Priyanka Chaturvedi also said that some people raise issues like ban on Vande Mataram before the start of the session, but she herself celebrates Vande Mataram in her opening speech in the Rajya Sabha. According to him, this is politics of double character, which the public has now started understanding. He also objected to the attempt to link Vande Mataram with West Bengal and the question of blaming one person and said that history is being presented selectively.

Priyanka expressed her views on issues like infiltration and SIR

In the same conversation, Priyanka Chaturvedi also put the government in the dock on issues like ‘infiltration’ and ‘SIR’. He said that if the 11-year-old government is confident about its achievements, then there should be no need to raise such issues again and again. Amidst all these statements, the question arises whether Priyanka Chaturvedi will join BJP. Although he did not give any such direct indication in the interview, his aggressive and outspoken style has definitely given rise to political speculations. At present, this question remains and only time will give the answer in politics.

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Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has strongly attacked Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s speech in Parliament. He said that it was not appropriate to repeatedly drag the Congress and the Nehru-Gandhi family by deviating from the issues during the discussion on electoral reforms. Chaturvedi called it a sign of government’s displeasure and arrogance.

It is clear from Priyanka Chaturvedi’s statement that the opposition is demanding a meaningful discussion on electoral reforms, while the government is being accused of deviating from the issue by limiting the issue to the Nehru-Gandhi family. This debate is likely to intensify in the coming days.

Government is deviating from the issue- Priyanka Chaturvedi

Starting her statement, MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said that the Home Minister’s speech should have focused on electoral reforms, but he used it to take a dig at the Congress and the Gandhi family. He said that showing anger and answering arrogantly made it clear that he did not have a concrete answer on electoral reforms. He further said that Priyanka Gandhi has already said that if the government has to discuss the Nehru-Gandhi family, then it should do it at once, so that the real issues of the country can be discussed further. Even after this, the same scene was repeated yesterday also.

Home Minister should avoid personal attacks- Chaturvedi

Chaturvedi alleged that the Home Minister spent more time commenting on the entire family from Jawaharlal Nehru to Sonia Gandhi, whereas a serious and balanced discussion was expected on an important issue like electoral reforms. He said that parliamentary tradition demands that when reforms related to the democratic structure of the country are being discussed, personal attacks should be avoided.

Demand for clear answer on electoral reform

The MP said that electoral reforms are linked to the future of the country and the strength of democracy. The country wants to know what concrete steps the government will take for a transparent election process. But instead of replying, the atmosphere was spoiled by cursing the opposition. He also said that democracy is strengthened not by weakening the opposition, but by dialogue and accountability.

Objections were also raised on the atmosphere in the House

Chaturvedi said that the falling level of debate in Parliament is worrying. He said that Parliament is a platform for discussion on country’s issues, problems of common people and strength of institutions, but it is being made an arena for political sarcasm.

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Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aditya Thackeray has made a big claim about Mahayuti MLAs. He said on Monday (08 December) that 22 MLAs of an ally of Mahayuti have come close to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and are ready to change sides. It is being told that he has said this in the context of Shiv Sena led by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.

Without naming Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Aditya Thackeray claimed, “There is one party and two factions.” 22 MLAs of one group have come close to the CM. They have good funds and now they have started dancing to the tune of the CM.

’22 MLAs of Mahayuti are ready to change sides’

Speaking to the media in the Vidhan Bhawan complex, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA from Worli said, “22 MLAs are ready to switch sides.” One of these MLAs calls himself vice-captain. It is being said that he has said this about Industries Minister Uday Samant. Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) had claimed that Samant could be the third Chief Minister of the state along with Shinde and Ajit Pawar.

Shiv Sena was divided in 2022

Let us tell you that after the rebellion led by Shinde in June 2022, Shiv Sena was divided, after which the Mahavikas Aghadi government led by the then Uddhav Thackeray fell. Later, in January 2024, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar said that the Eknath Shinde-led faction was the real Shiv Sena, a component of the ruling grand alliance in the state along with the BJP and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s NCP.

What did Aditya say about the appointment of the leader of the opposition?

On the issue of inaction in appointing the leader of the opposition in both the houses of the state legislature, Aditya Thackeray asked why the government is afraid of the leader of the opposition. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Bhaskar Jadhav has been nominated by his party, which is the largest opposition party in the Lower House with 20 MLAs, for the post of Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, but no decision has been taken by the Speaker on the Cabinet-level appointment.

Jadhav had written a letter to the state legislature, seeking to know whether there was any rule that mandated that an opposition party should have 10 percent of the total strength in the assembly (29 seats out of 288) to claim the post of Leader of the Opposition. After the opposition’s crushing defeat in the state assembly elections last year, no party could win 10 percent of the total 288 seats.

It is noteworthy that Ambadas Danve, former MLC of Shiv Sena (UBT), who was the leader of opposition in the Legislative Council. His tenure ended in August. Congress has nominated its MLC Satej Patil to be appointed as the leader of opposition in the Upper House. State Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde on Sunday said his office has received a proposal to appoint the leader of the opposition and the decision will be taken after talks with stakeholders.

In Maharashtra, the matter of inclusion of 2020 Palghar lynching case accused Kashinath Choudhary in BJP has gained momentum. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former Chief Minister has targeted BJP and Mahayuti government regarding this. Uddhav Thackeray was addressing the function of his party workers. During this, he made a scathing attack on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.

Uddhav Thackeray asked to apologize to Hindu society for including Kashinath Choudhary in BJP. Raised a question to Thackeray, “How come all his sins have been forgiven today?”

Uddhav Thackeray targets Eknath Shinde

Uddhav Thackeray, while targeting Eknath Shinde without naming him, said that he stayed with us for 25 years, walked with us in the name of Hindutva, we adopted him, made him sit on our shoulders, took him from village to village. When they reached the top, they started kicking us. Uddhav Thackeray further said in a sarcastic tone that Delhi used to move due to the hoofs of Maratha horses. Today the same people are seen licking the shoes of Delhi. They are not from the saffron family, they are traitors.

Furious over inclusion of Kashinath Choudhary in BJP

Uddhav Thackeray expressed strong objection to the inclusion of Kashinath Choudhary, accused of killing sadhus in Palghar in 2020, in BJP. He said that at that time when I was the Chief Minister, Shiv Sena was being called anti-Hindutva. Today the same Kashinath Chaudhary has joined BJP. If he was guilty then why was he taken to the party and if he was innocent then why was he put in jail?

Uddhav Thakar asked BJP and Devendra Fadnavis to apologize to entire Maharashtra and Hindu society in Palghar case. Thackeray taunted that this becomes love jihad for others and immortal love for BJP itself.

Accused of giving tickets to drug mafia

Uddhav Thackeray, while targeting Modi government and Maharashtra government, said that the country is being ruined, anyone is being recruited into the party without investigation. A drug mafia was even given a mayor’s ticket.

Remembered Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sena

Boosting the morale of Shiv Sainiks, Uddhav Thackeray said that a person grows old not by age but by thinking. You all stood with Balasaheb like his shield. No one had the courage to look up. Today Shiv Sena is alive because of you people.

Recalling the incident of Janata Party era of 1977, he said that Shiv Sainiks had destroyed Morarji Desai’s meeting in Shivaji Park at the gesture of a finger.