In Mumbai, 1,700 candidates are contesting for 227 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) wards. As per the Maharashtra State Election Commission guidelines, polling will take place from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm on January 15, and the results will be announced the next day
Political party flags and scarves are displayed for sale in Lalbaug as campaigning picks up ahead of Mumbai’s civic polls on January 15, 2026. Pic/ Ashish Raje
Elections for 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra are scheduled for Thursday, January 15, with the campaigning coming to an end on Tuesday, January 13, at 5 pm. All political parties are making their last push to reach voters ahead of the polling day.
To ensure smooth voting, the state government has declared a holiday on Thursday.
In Mumbai, 1,700 candidates are contesting for 227 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) wards. As per the state election commission guidelines, polling will take place from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm on January 15, and results will be announced the next day.
On the last day of campaigning, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a high-energy roadshow in Nagpur. Riding a bullet motorcycle under heavy security, he traversed from Bharat Mata Chowk through Vividh Chowk, concluding near the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Mahal. Speaking to a TV channel, Fadnavis asserted that a Mahayuti Mayor would take charge in Mumbai following BMC Election 2026.
'Marathi manus in danger because of BJP': Sanjay Raut lambasts Devendra Fadnavis' critique of Thackeray brothers
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday lashed out at Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over his remarks claiming the “existence” of the Thackeray brothers was in danger, asserting that the Thackeray family was capable of handling any threats and did not need lessons from the BJP leader, news agency ANI reported.
Addressing a press conference, Raut said Fadnavis’ comments questioning the Thackeray brothers’ contribution to the Marathi manus were effectively a challenge to Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.
“Devendra Bhau, don’t worry about us. The Thackeray family is capable of handling threats. We are not scared like you. We don’t create bogus voter lists to win elections or distribute money. You should worry about yourself,” Raut said according to ANI.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said the issue of the “son of the soil” had remained relevant in Maharashtra for over six decades and accused the BJP of undermining Bal Thackeray’s legacy. He claimed the BJP gained prominence in the state only because of Bal Thackeray’s support.
“If the Marathi manus is in danger today, it is because of the BJP. This issue has been there for 60 years. This is not about the Thackeray brothers. Fadnavis is challenging Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray,” Raut said.
On Monday, Chief Minister Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde addressed a joint rally at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, launching a sharp attack on the Thackeray brothers. Fadnavis questioned their contribution to the welfare of the Marathi manus over the past three decades.
“If the Marathi manus is in danger, what have you been doing for 30 years?” Fadnavis asked, asserting that it was not the Marathi community but the Thackeray brothers whose political existence was at stake.
The chief minister also said the next Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor would be from the Mahayuti alliance and would be both Marathi and Hindu.
Rejecting opposition claims, Fadnavis maintained that Maharashtra belonged to all Marathi people and not any single political group.
“It is not the Marathi manus whose existence is in danger. It is certain political forces whose existence is at stake,” he said.
(With ANI inputs)
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