TNI Bureau: The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP and the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), has emerged victorious in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, ending the Thackeray family’s long-standing dominance over Asia’s richest civic body.

The alliance crossed the majority mark of 118 seats in the 227-member civic body, with the BJP emerging as the single largest party by winning 89 wards — its best-ever performance in Mumbai. Its ally, the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), won 29 seats, paving the way for the formation of a BJP Mayor for the first time.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has been credited for the BJP’s historic showing, surpassing its previous high of 82 seats in the 2017 civic polls.

Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena won 65 seats. Its ally MNS won 6 seats. Congress won 24 seats.

While BJP gained huge, Shiv Sena (UBT) fared well despite the split and all kind of adverse conditions. Shiv Sena Shinde faction could win just 29 seats against Shiv Sena UBT’s 65. It clearly proves that fight in Maharashtra will be between BJP and Uddhav Thackeray group in future with Eknath Shinde group declining further.

Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane said the results reflected a clear mandate for the alliance’s Hindutva agenda, posting that those who speak for Hindu interests would rule Maharashtra.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the guidance of BJP National President and Hon’ble Union Minister J.P. Nadda, Hon’ble Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amitbhai Shah, BJP National Working President Nitin Nabin, and the tireless efforts of BJP State President MLA Ravindra Chavan and our dedicated party workers, the BJP has once again achieved a momentous victory in Maharashtra,” in a post on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Thank you, Maharashtra! The dynamic people of the state have blessed the NDA’s agenda of pro-people, good governance. The results of the various municipal corporation elections indicate that the NDA’s bond with the people of Maharashtra has grown even stronger. Our track record and vision for development have clearly struck a chord.

“I express my heartfelt gratitude to the people of Maharashtra. This is a mandate to accelerate progress and celebrate the glorious culture for which the state is renowned”, he added.