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Maharashtra civic elections 2026: Thakurs halt BJP surge as BVA storms back in Vasai-Virar

Updated on: 17 January,2026 08:45 AM IST  |  Mumbai
Sanjeev Shivadekar | sanjeev.shivadekar@mid-day.com

In the 2024 Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party had won both seats, defeating BVA leaders Kshitij Thakur and Hitendra Thakur, fuelling expectations of a sustained saffron surge

Maharashtra civic elections 2026: Thakurs halt BJP surge as BVA storms back in Vasai-Virar

Bahujan Vikas Aghadi supporters celebrate after their victory in Virar on Friday. Pic/x/@mukesht37

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The Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) halted the BJP’s momentum in Vasai-Virar, handing the party a major setback in a region where it had made sweeping gains just a year ago. In the 2024 Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party had won both seats, defeating BVA leaders Kshitij Thakur and Hitendra Thakur, fuelling expectations of a sustained saffron surge.

The municipal results, however, told a different story. The BVA staged a strong comeback by winning 71 of the 115 seats in the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation, comfortably reclaiming control of the civic body, which it had dominated earlier with over 100 corporators.


Despite an aggressive BJP campaign, including a rally by Devendra Fadnavis and promises of an airport project in Virar, local factors proved decisive. The Thakur family’s grassroots influence and the BVA’s organisational strength outweighed high-profile campaigning, underlining how civic elections remain driven by local leadership and issues.



BJP retains Nashik

In contrast, the BJP retained control of the Nashik Municipal Corporation despite public anger over a proposal to cut trees at Tapovan ahead of the 2027 Kumbh Mela. The party crossed the majority mark comfortably, even as it faced internal dissent over ticket distribution and allegations that new entrants were favoured over long-time workers. 

71
No. of seats won by BVA

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