With campaigning for the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections reaching a fever pitch, political parties are locked in intense battles across the city's 227 wards. The polls, scheduled for January 15, 2026, are set to determine the control of India's richest civic body. While contests are spread across Mumbai, certain wards have emerged as critical flashpoints due to intriguing candidate profiles, high-profile stakes, and complex political dynamics.
Key Battlegrounds: From Sibling Rivalries to Regional Dynamics
Several wards are witnessing direct contests between former allies and colleagues, reflecting the deep fractures within Maharashtra's political landscape post the Shiv Sena split. The electoral map reveals a complex tapestry of local issues, caste equations, and linguistic considerations.
Ward number 5 in Dahisar presents a classic case of sibling rivalry within the Shiv Sena family. The contest pits Sanjay Ghadi of the Shiv Sena (SS) against Sujata Patekar of the Shiv Sena (UBT), both former colleagues from the undivided party known for their grassroots connections. Dr Narendra Kumar of the Congress is playing a potential spoiler, with his ability to divide votes possibly becoming the deciding factor in this north Mumbai ward.
In a stark reflection of Mumbai's demographic shifts, Ward number 23 in Kandivli (West) features a unique scenario. Out of 11 candidates, only the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has fielded a Marathi candidate. All other major parties, including the BJP and Congress, have picked North Indian candidates, tailoring their choices to the ward's electorate. This has led to a particularly tough battle between the BJP and Congress here.
High-Profile Stakes and Political Lineages
Political dynasties and well-known faces are adding colour to several contests. In Ward number 45 in Malad (East), Nirav Barot, son of the late BJP deputy mayor Ram Barot, is contesting on a Shiv Sena (UBT) ticket. His father had won this ward by a massive margin of over 10,000 votes in 2017. The BJP has responded by fielding a new face, Sanjay Kamble.
The battle in Ward number 84 in Vile Parle has taken a familial turn. After a 2017 contest between Abhijit Samant and Sandip Dalvi, this election will see a fight between their wives – Rupali Dalvi (MNS) and Anjali Samant (BJP). Notably, the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) have not fielded candidates here, simplifying the contest.
In Kurla, Ward number 165 is set for a high-profile clash between two prominent Muslim faces: Ashraf Azmi (Congress) and Kaptan Malik (NCP). Azmi, the sitting corporator, faces a tougher challenge this time as Malik has moved from his earlier ward. The BJP hopes to gain from any division of votes between the two.
Alliance Breaks and Guaranteed Seats
The elections have also exposed cracks within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Ward number 173 in Sion is one of two where alliance partners – the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the BJP – are fighting each other. The BJP candidate, Shilpa Keluskar, was embroiled in controversy over an alleged forged 'A&B form', but the party did not withdraw her candidacy, leading to a three-cornered fight in this traditional Thackeray bastion.
Similarly, in the prestigious Ward number 225 in Colaba, the alliance has broken down. The Shinde-led Sena's candidate, Sujata Sanap (the 2017 winner), is fighting against the BJP's Harshita Narvekar, who is the sister-in-law of Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has fielded Ajinkya Dhatrak, son of former MLA Ashok Dhatrak, while the Congress is absent.
In a rare instance, Ward number 167 in Kurla appears to be a confirmed seat for the Opposition. None of the major parties from the ruling Mahayuti alliance have fielded a candidate here, leaving the contest between the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Samajwadi Party.
Other notable contests include the battle in Prabhadevi's Ward 194 between political scions Nishikant Shinde (SS-UBT) and Samadhan Sarvankar (SS), and the fight in Sewri's Ward 206 between former Shiv Sena colleagues Sachin Padval (SS-UBT) and Nana Ambole (SS). The outcomes in these ten key wards will not only shape the BMC's future but also offer crucial insights into the evolving political equations in Mumbai ahead of larger state and national battles.
