Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/maharashtra-local-body-elections-shiv-sena-ubt-workers-feel-abandoned-as-uddhav-thackeray-does-not-travel-out-of-mumbai-says-shinde-23611553" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Eknath Shinde</a> on Tuesday said that the people have already made up their minds to ensure the victory of Shiv Sena-BJP Mahayuti candidates in the upcoming BMC Election 2026.
Speaking to IANS during an election campaign, Eknath Shinde said the public response to the alliance has been overwhelmingly positive.
"There has been a very encouraging response, and people are happy. They have decided to make the Shiv Sena-BJP Mahayuti candidates win and are determined to bring change to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. The Mahayuti will form the leadership BMC, and the mayor will also be from the Mahayuti," Shinde said, the news agency reported.
<h2>Shaina NC predicts big win for alliance</h2>
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC also expressed strong confidence in the alliance&rsquo;s prospects, stating that the Mahayuti is expected to win more than 150 seats in Mumbai.
"Mumbaikars have chosen the politics of progress and will surely support the Mahayuti in this journey of development," she said, according to the IANS.
Shaina NC credited the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde for delivering visible improvements across the city.
"Our respected leaders have done remarkable work in areas such as environmental protection, healthcare, education, improved sewage treatment and making Mumbai free of <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/bmc-elections-2026-mumbai-march-group-seeks-better-roads-slum-rehabilitation-and-more-23611729" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">potholes</a>. This is not just talk; we have delivered real results," she said.
<h2>Focus on development, not crowd size</h2>
Shaina NC added that Mahayuti workers are actively campaigning across Mumbai and are focused on development rather than showmanship.
&ldquo;Our workers are on the ground, each working sincerely in their respective areas. This election is not about crowd size. In the speeches of Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde, nearly 90 per cent of the discussion is focused on development,&rdquo; she said, reported the IANS.
&ldquo;We have motivated our workers, and I am confident that when people vote in Mumbai on January 15, the results on January 16 will clearly show that work, not numbers, decides victory,&rdquo; she added.
<h2>Polls on Jan 15</h2>
The election process began with the notification issued in December 2025. On December 15, 2025, the State Election Commission (SEC) announced that elections for 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will be held in a single phase on January 15, 2026.
Voting will take place from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm, and the results will be declared on January 16, 2026.
The SEC has advised voters to visit their designated polling centres during polling hours in <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/bmc-election-2026-over-28000-to-be-on-streets-senior-police-officials-will-monitor-security-in-city-says-mumbai-police-23611845" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">city</a>. January 15 has been declared a public holiday in municipal corporation areas to encourage higher voter turnout.
<h2>Large-scale polling exercise in Mumbai</h2>
The civic elections are being conducted under the Model Code of Conduct and in accordance with directions from higher judicial authorities to complete long-pending local body polls in Maharashtra.
More than one crore voters are eligible to vote in the BMC elections across all 227 wards. In <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/bmc-election-2026-mumbai-police-issue-traffic-diversions-in-worli-and-dadar-ahead-of-civic-polls-check-details-here-23611843" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Mumbai</a>, a total of around 1,700 candidates are contesting the elections.
(with IANS inputs)
Get all BMC Election 2026 updates here | Your ward info below
<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/bmc-election/" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Read more: All about BMC Election</a>
<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/bmc-election/know-your-ward" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Read more: Know Your Ward</a>

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