Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
In the seventh municipal elections, the BJP achieved undisputed supremacy, securing a historic majority for the first time in the corporation’s history. From 1988 to 2015, no party had managed to win a majority. In the 2026 elections, the BJP contested 92 seats and won 58, comfortably crossing the majority mark. The party’s strike rate stood at 63%. BJP leaders also promised a share for Shinde Sena in the corporation, though voters gave no party the chance to act as a kingmaker.
Counting began at 10 am Friday across four centers. From the first round, BJP candidates in several wards took the lead, maintaining it throughout the day. By 12.30 pm, trends in five to six rounds indicated clear victories. After 1 pm, entire BJP panels were being elected in some wards. By 3 pm, BJP was seen crossing the magic majority of 58 seats, prompting celebrations across the party.
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AMIM emerges as Largest Opposition Party
Fielding 48 candidates in both Muslim- and Hindu-majority wards, MIM won 33 seats, achieving a 68% strike rate. The party became the second-largest in the municipal corporation and will now serve as a capable opposition.
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BJP’s strategic masterstroke
BJP’s detailed pre-election planning assessed which candidate would be strongest in each ward. Strong candidates from other parties were inducted, and efforts to form an alliance with Shinde Sena continued until the last day of nominations but ultimately failed. The party’s strategy deliberately avoided a tie-up with Shinde Sena, catching them off-guard. From day one, BJP’s campaign aligned politically with MIM, creating a calculated advantage, while both parties also engaged in campaigns appealing to communal identities.
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Collapse of rival parties
In 2015, Congress had won 12 seats, but this election saw only one candidate succeed on its own strength. Congress had fielded 71 candidates citywide, highlighting the dramatic decline in its electoral performance.