MNS will not ally with BJP in Mumbai mayor poll: Raj Thackeray to party workers

During the meeting, MNS workers raised concerns about lack of cooperation from their ally, Shiv Sena (UBT), in some civic wards. They also expressed displeasure over being allotted “unwinnable” wards in Mumbai as part of the alliance with the Shiv Sena (UBT) led by former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, according to the PTI.

MNS functionaries said the party was given difficult wards in Mumbai, which has 227 seats, making it hard for them to win more seats.

According to the MNS leader, Raj Thackeray asked party workers not to dwell on the past but to focus on strengthening the organisation.

“Raj saheb has said there will be no truck with the BJP in the mayoral poll of the BMC,” the leader added, as per the PTI.

MNS performance in BMC polls

The MNS contested 53 seats in the BMC elections but won only six seats in India’s largest and wealthiest civic body.

The BJP won 89 seats, becoming the single largest party in the BMC for the first time. Its ally, Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, secured 29 seats, while the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) won 65 seats.

The BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) alliance has 118 seats, crossing the majority mark of 114, which could allow them to elect their candidate as mayor easily. The date for the mayoral election has not yet been announced.

Other parties’ performance

Congress (with Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi): 24 seats

AIMIM: 8 seats

NCP: 3 seats

Samajwadi Party: 2 seats

NCP-SP: 1 seat

BJP appoints Ganesh Khankar as group leader in BMC

Days after the conclusion of BMC elections of 2026, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday appointed Ward 7 (Dahisar) corporator Ganesh Khankar as their party leader in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). 

Apart from BJP, Shiv Sena has also appointed Amey Ghole as their leader in BMC. Ghole, during the recently concluded BMC elections, was elected as a corporator from ward 178, Matunga. 

BJP emerges as the single largest party in BMC elections 2026.

The appointment of Ganesh Khankar comes after the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the recently concluded BMC elections 2026, winning 89 corporator seats. The announcement was made at the BMC headquarters during a formal meeting where both the BJP and the Shiv Sena registered their elected representatives.

Shiv Sena’s Ghole offers administrative experience

Amey Ghole, a two-time corporator from Shiv Sena, brings significant administrative and political experience to the role. During his previous tenure in the BMC, when he was part of the undivided Shiv Sena, he served as the chairman of the civic body’s Health Committee, where he also played an important role in shaping public health initiatives.

Amey Ghole also holds the position of general secretary of the Yuva Sena, the party’s youth wing, and is known for his strong connection with grassroots workers and young party cadres in Mumbai and Maharashtra. 

(with PTI inputs)