BJP and Shiv Sena Battle for Control in Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation
The Bharatiya Janata Party is currently leading in 17 of the 78 seats in the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has taken the lead in 19 seats. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena under Raj Thackeray is ahead in just one seat.
Complex Political Landscape in Sindhi-Majority Constituency
Ulhasnagar presents a unique political scenario. It stands as Maharashtra's only Assembly constituency with a majority Sindhi population. The election here transformed into a direct and fierce battle. Political parties adopted varied alliance strategies across different parts of the city.
The Shiv Sena contested these elections in alliance with local leader Omi Kalani. They also partnered with the TOK group and the Sai Party. On the other side, Congress joined forces with Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena faction and the MNS. The Bharatiya Janata Party decided to go solo. They fielded candidates independently in all 78 seats without forming any alliances.
Direct Fights and High-Stakes Contests
The contest intensified significantly when TOK candidates began contesting on the Shiv Sena symbol. This development created direct fights between BJP candidates and Shiv Sena-backed contenders in every single ward.
Some seats attracted particular attention. Four heavyweight former BJP corporators switched sides just one month before the elections. These leaders had previously won between two and five terms. They left the BJP to join Team Omi Kalani. Now they are contesting on the Shiv Sena symbol under Team Omi Kalani's quota.
The BJP responded strategically to these defections. They fielded fresh, new candidates against these experienced leaders. This move turned these wards into high-stakes battlegrounds. The veteran corporators campaigned by highlighting their past work and achievements. BJP candidates countered by describing these wards as party strongholds. They accused the defectors of failing to deliver development despite holding key positions earlier.
Election Details and Voter Participation
The Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation holds responsibility for managing the city's infrastructure and urban planning. Elections took place on January 15, 2026. Results are being declared on January 16, 2026. A total of 5,06,098 voters participated in this democratic exercise. They chose corporators across 20 wards of the city.
Historical Context and Previous Results
Looking back at the previous UMC elections held in 2017 reveals interesting patterns. The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 32 seats. Shiv Sena followed closely with 25 seats. The Secular Alliance of India won 11 seats. The Nationalist Congress Party secured four seats. Smaller parties and independents shared the remaining seats.
Ulhasnagar has witnessed mayors from diverse political backgrounds over the years. Ganesh Chaudhary served as mayor in 1996. Prominent local leader Jyoti Kalani held the post during the 1990s. Shiv Sena's Apeksha Patil became mayor in 2014. Leelabai Ashan followed in 2019. The civic body currently operates under administrative rule.
Broader Maharashtra Civic Polls
The Ulhasnagar election forms part of larger civic polls conducted across Maharashtra. These elections happened after a significant gap. The terms of most municipal corporations had ended between 2020 and 2023. Elections were conducted for 29 municipal corporations across the state. This includes nine corporations within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
These civic polls represent a crucial political moment for Maharashtra. Urban centers across the state are determining their local leadership. The results will shape governance and development in these cities for years to come.
