The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) registered a massive victory in Ward 18 of the Vasai–Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC) elections, delivering a major blow to the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) in one of the most closely watched wards. BJP candidates Sanju Srivastava and Ganesh Balakrishna Patil emerged victorious, along with Khyati Gharat and Hemlata Singh from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, securing a clean sweep in the ward. Their win underlined the growing influence of the BJP–Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) alliance in select pockets of the civic body.
On the other hand, prominent BVA leaders including former corporators and chairpersons Sarita Dubey, Milind Gharat, Amita Kailash Patil, and Ram Vilas Gupta were defeated in Ward 18. The loss of such senior figures is being seen as a significant setback for the BVA, particularly in a ward where it had earlier enjoyed considerable influence. Political observers attribute the BJP’s strong showing in Ward 18 largely to voter demographics. Nearly 70 per cent of the electorate in the ward is believed to be North Indian, a segment that appears to have consolidated decisively in favour of the BJP.
Despite these high-profile losses, the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi retained overall control of the Vasai–Virar Municipal Corporation. The party secured a clear majority by winning 71 of the 115 seats, continuing its long-standing dominance over the civic body under the leadership of Hitendra Thakur. The BJP, meanwhile, emerged as the second-largest party with 43 seats, marking its best-ever performance in the VVMC. Adding to the symbolic setbacks for the BVA was the defeat of former mayor and party strongman Rupesh Jadhav, which observers see as an important signal of shifting political currents in parts of the Vasai–Virar region. While the BVA remains firmly in charge of the municipal administration, the results from Ward 18 and other BJP gains suggest a more competitive political landscape ahead in future civic and assembly elections.