Maharashtra Civic Body Election

This news report focuses on the political fallout in Maharashtra following the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election results. Following a significant victory for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, BJP leader Nishikant Dubey launched a scathing mythological attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut. Dubey stated, 'Sanjay Raut is a combination of Narada Muni and Mantra', referring to characters known for causing discord in Indian epics. The verbal spat intensified as Sanjay Raut accused Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of betraying the 'Marathi Manus' and acting like a 'Jaichand', which he claims allowed the BJP to secure a majority in Mumbai. The report highlights that for the first time in over four decades, a BJP Mayor is set to take oath in Mumbai. The discussion underscores the deep rift between the Eknath Shinde-led faction and the UBT group following the civic poll outcome where the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) failed to meet their expected seat targets.

On this special report, India Today examines the first reaction from Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray following the party's performance in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Despite the MNS failing to reach double digits in seat counts, Thackeray remains defiant about the party's core ideology. He stated, 'Our fight is for the Marathi Manus, for the Marathi language, for Marathi identity, and for a prosperous Maharashtra.' Thackeray described the electoral contest as a battle of 'tremendous money, power, and the power of authority against Shiva Shakti.' While the BJP-led Mahayuti and the Uddhav Thackeray faction secured significant seats, the MNS leader urged his workers and newly elected corporators to continue standing up for the Marathi people. The programme analyses whether the 'Marathi agenda' still resonates with Mumbai's voters and what the future holds for the MNS as they navigate this political setback in the state's capital.

This report covers the landmark results of the 2026 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, where the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance successfully ended the decades-long dominance of the Thackeray family. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the verdict, stating that 'People have blessed the NDA for good governance and that the NDA's bond with the people has deepened.' The BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 89 seats, while Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena also secured significant gains to help the alliance surpass the majority mark. In contrast, the Thackeray cousins, Uddhav and Raj, faced a major setback as the Sena UBT won 65 seats and the MNS managed only 6. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, credited with leading the campaign, thanked voters for endorsing the development agenda. The programme also highlights the upcoming meeting between Uddhav Thackeray and his newly elected councillors following the defeat.

There is a saffron surge across Maharashtra. The BJP has emerged as the party number one in India's second most populous state.

This special report highlights the political resurgence of Devendra Fadnavis following the Mahayuti alliance's decisive victory in the Maharashtra civic body polls. Described as the 'man of the match' and 'man of the series,' Fadnavis successfully led the campaign to end the Thackeray family's three-decade-long control over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The report notes that Fadnavis 'perfected a winning formula, a mix of Hindutva and Vikas,' effectively consolidating various castes and overcoming regional identity politics. After a setback in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Fadnavis conducted 37 rallies across the state to secure this comeback. The programme traces his journey from a young councillor to his current standing as the Chief Minister and the dominant political force in India's second-largest state, having successfully navigated the challenges of coalition politics and internal leadership dynamics.

This special report analyzes the 2026 Maharashtra election results, highlighting a significant 'saffron surge' that has established the BJP as the leading political force in the state. The speaker notes that the BJP now operates a 'triple engine' government, holding power at the Centre, the Mantralaya, and local bodies like the BMC. A key takeaway from the report is that 'Devendra Fadnavis, 55-year-old chief minister, is a big winner' and is now positioned in the front line of the party's next generation of leadership. The analysis further details the setback for the Thackeray family in the BMC after 30 years, the routing of the Pawar family in Western Maharashtra, and the continued decline of the Congress party. Additionally, the report highlights the performance of the AIMIM, which secured over 100 seats, contributing to a fragmented opposition that ultimately benefited the BJP's 'Hindutva plus Vikas' strategy.

The top focus of this episode of To The Point is the Maharashtra civic body poll results. The Mahayuti alliance, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, has secured a dominant position across 29 municipalities.

On this Special Report, reporter Vidya provides live updates on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election results as counting continues past the expected schedule. While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has seen a 'saffron sweep' across other Maharashtra municipalities, the battle for India's richest civic body remains neck-and-neck. Vidya notes that 'in these 10 wards especially, the technical snag is one of the reasons being cited for this entire hitch' in declaring final results. The transcript highlights that counting has been completed in 187 of the 227 wards, with 30 wards still underway. The BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena alliance is currently shy of the halfway mark in Mumbai, despite leading in trends. The programme explores the reasons behind the delay, including low margins leading to recounts and display issues at counting centres like Wilson College.

This special report covers the landmark results of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, where the ruling Mahayuti alliance has emerged victorious. The verdict marks a historic shift as Mumbai is poised to get its first-ever BJP mayor, establishing what is described as a 'triple-engine government' with the BJP-led alliance in power at the Centre, the state, and now the civic body. The report highlights the setback for the Thackeray cousins, noting that the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS alliance failed to meet expectations. Amidst the celebrations, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has raised allegations of electoral irregularities, claiming 'Thousands of people have gone missing who have voted in the Vidhan Sabha' from opposition strongholds. While the BJP celebrates a 'saffron surge' in the financial capital, the opposition has labeled the election process a 'vote chori,' with Rahul Gandhi accusing the Election Commission of gaslighting citizens. The mandate effectively ends the long-standing dominance of the Thackeray family over India's richest municipal corporation.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dialled state BJP chief and congratulated him after Mahayuti registered a huge victory in the BMC polls.

On this Special Report, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker and BJP leader Rahul Narvekar reacts to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election results as the Mahayuti alliance secures a decisive lead. Rahul Narvekar stated, 'I would like to thank the people of Maharashtra for once again completely trusting the Bharatiya Janata Party Alliance and casting their vote in favour of this alliance.' He emphasized that the mandate reflects a preference for development, citing infrastructure projects like the Atal Setu coastal road and the expanded metro network. Narvekar criticized the previous administration under the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, describing it as 'lacklustre' and claiming that voters have now chosen better governance. He further noted that the 'Marathi Manus' will support the party that delivers tangible progress and job opportunities rather than relying on sentimental appeals. The programme highlights the shifting political landscape in Mumbai as the BJP-led alliance prepares to take control of the country's richest civic body after three decades.

On this India Today special report, BJP spokesperson Shweta Shalini discusses the ongoing Maharashtra civic body elections, where the party is seeing significant leads across 29 municipal corporations. Shalini asserts that 'This election is about the people of Maharashtra choosing Vikas over any kind of rhetoric,' highlighting that voters are prioritising infrastructure projects like the Samriddhi Highway, metros, and elevated corridors. The discussion, moderated by Rajdeep Sardesai and Preeti Choudhry, explores a potential 'tectonic shift' in Mumbai's political and cultural identity. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sohaib Hashmi counters these claims, alleging voter list manipulation and maintaining that the Thackeray family remains the city's true heroes despite the unexpected results. The panel analyses whether the traditional regional narrative is being replaced by a new aspirational model focused on modernisation and development, potentially marking a decline in the influence of legacy politics in the state's urban centres.

This report covers the controversy surrounding the Mumbai civic body elections, which saw a voter turnout of just over 50 per cent. The opposition has alleged electoral manipulation, claiming that marker pens were used instead of indelible ink, allowing the mark to be easily wiped off. A key point in the report notes that 'The Thackeray brothers reunited after two decades, accused authorities of using marker pens instead of indelible ink.' While the opposition released videos purportedly showing the ink being erased, the Mahayati alliance has rejected these claims. A live demonstration was staged to assert that the ink is indeed indelible and cannot be removed. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the State Election Commission have denied any malpractice but acknowledged the need for an inquiry. The State Election Commission further clarified that even if the ink is tampered with, safeguards prevent repeat voting. The programme examines the political friction between the ruling alliance and the opposition following a high-voltage campaign.

On this report, an unidentified speaker discusses the exit poll results for the 2026 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. The speaker notes that the 'BJP-led Mahayuti is set to sweep the BMC polls' with a clear edge over rivals in India's richest civic body. According to the poll of polls, the alliance is projected to surpass the halfway mark of 114 seats in the 227-ward corporation. Data from various agencies like Axis My India and JVC suggest a significant lead, while the Uddhav Thackeray-led alliance appears to have fallen short of expectations. The speaker highlights that women and youth voters have reportedly favoured the BJP alliance. The Congress is described as a marginal player, potentially acting as a spoiler with 20 to 25 seats. The final counting of votes is scheduled for tomorrow, which will confirm if the 'triple engine triumph' predicted by the exit polls holds true for Mumbai.

In this news bulletin, an unidentified speaker discusses the shifting political landscape in Maharashtra, specifically focusing on the future of the Thackeray family. The speaker notes that 'the Thackerays cannot only rely on nostalgia and Balasaheb' to maintain their political influence in Mumbai. The discussion highlights that younger demographics and new aspirations are moving away from traditional identity politics. The transcript suggests that if exit poll numbers hold, the BJP could emerge as the leading party in Maharashtra by a significant margin. Furthermore, the speaker emphasizes the need for long-term alliances rather than short-term electoral arrangements, noting that voters are tired of frequent political realignments. The potential for the BJP-Eknath Shinde alliance to take control of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is also explored as a major turning point for the city's governance.

This report covers the conclusion of the Maharashtra civic poll voting process across the state. According to the latest updates from the election authorities, the voter turnout is estimated to be between '46 to 50 percent' across the 29 municipal corporations involved in the elections. The bulletin highlights the completion of the polling phase in these key urban local bodies. The figures provided reflect the preliminary participation rates as the voting window closes. The programme focuses on the scale of the democratic exercise, noting that the turnout data spans nearly thirty major municipal corporations in Maharashtra. The information remains centered on the official estimates provided at the end of the polling day, ensuring a factual summary of the electoral proceedings without additional background or speculation regarding the results or political implications.

This report examines the controversy surrounding the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the first in eight years. The opposition, including the Thackeray brothers and the Congress, has alleged electoral manipulation, claiming that 'marker pens are being used instead of the permanent inked ones to manipulate the polls'. Viral videos purportedly show voters removing the ink using acetone, leading to accusations against the State Election Commission and the BMC. The ruling Mahayuti alliance has strongly denied these charges. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis conducted a live demonstration to prove the ink is indelible, while Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde dismissed the allegations as excuses from parties facing defeat. Although the State Election Commission clarified that erasing the ink does not permit a second vote, the opposition remains skeptical. The programme explores the political friction and the integrity of the polling process in Mumbai's high-stakes civic battle.

This report covers the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, held after an eight-year gap in India's financial capital. Despite the high stakes and participation from prominent figures in Bollywood and politics, the voter turnout remained low, standing at just 41% by 3:30 PM. The speaker emphasizes the importance of civic participation, stating, 'If you want to become a real hero of Mumbai, then don't waste time talking. Come and vote.' The bulletin highlights that while citizens are quick to voice grievances regarding infrastructure issues like water, electricity, and roads, the willingness to participate in the electoral process remains poor. The programme notes that the BMC made extensive arrangements for voters, yet the city lived up to its reputation of low voter engagement despite a public holiday. The report concludes with a call for Mumbaikars to exercise their franchise before the polls close to ensure they choose the right representatives for the city's future.

On this Special Report, India Today's Divyesh Tripathi provides the latest updates on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. As of 3:30 PM, Mumbai has recorded a voter turnout of 41.08% from a total of 3.48 crore registered voters. Tripathi notes that 'Marathi voters are there in areas where Marathi voters are in large numbers, there they have come out in a large number and they have voted.' The report highlights that these elections will decide the fate of nearly 16,000 candidates. Tripathi observes that traditional voting patterns persist, with suburban areas like Bandra and Borivali showing higher engagement compared to South Mumbai. The programme discusses the significance of the Marathi vote and whether the final turnout will surpass previous records as polling continues until 5:30 PM.

On this Special Report, the focus is on the high-stakes Mumbai civic polls where Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray have alleged large-scale voter fraud. The Thackeray brothers claim that the indelible ink used during voting is being deliberately wiped off to enable malpractice, a phenomenon they have termed 'ink fraud'. Uddhav Thackeray cited a video clip allegedly showing the ink being erased from a voter's finger. However, the State Election Commission has firmly rejected these claims. Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare stated that a 'fake narrative' is being built, clarifying that the silver nitrate ink used is the same as in parliamentary elections and has been in use via marker pens since 2010. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also dismissed the allegations, with Fadnavis demonstrating on camera that the ink could not be removed. The Commission stressed that digital registration makes double voting impossible and warned of strict legal action against anyone attempting to erase the ink to vote again.