BMC Exit Polls Predict Victory for BJP-Shiv Sena; Stakes High for Thackeray Brothers

Exit polls for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections indicate a likely win for the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance. The alliance is projected to secure between 131-151 seats. This is the first BMC election following the split in Shiv Sena, with Thackeray brothers battling to regain their political standing.

In a keenly watched electoral contest, exit polls for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections suggest a promising outcome for the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance. The alliance is expected to claim a majority with projections ranging from 131 to 151 seats according to Axis My India. In stark contrast, the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS-NCP (SP) coalition is predicted to secure 58 to 68 seats while the Congress-VBA-RSP alliance is anticipated to achieve between 12 to 16 seats. Together, the BJP and Shiv Sena are forecasted to command a 42% vote share.

Held across 227 wards, the stakes are high in the BMC polls, being the first to take place after the 2022 Shiv Sena split. The elections serve as a crucial test for Thackeray brothers, Uddhav and Raj, as they attempt to recapture their political clout. The duo has strategically pitched the battle amid narratives of regional identity, branding it as the 'Marathi Manus' against an alleged corporate tide led by their opponents.

The BJP, leveraging its vast organizational strength, hopes to replicate its assembly election success under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's leadership. The results will be pivotal in determining whether the Thackeray name retains its erstwhile influence in Mumbai's political sphere.

(With inputs from agencies.)