BMC Exit Poll Projects Sweeping NDA Victory as BJP-Shinde Sena Alliance Leads
New Delhi: Axis My India’s exit poll has projected a decisive victory for the BJP-led NDA in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, forecasting a strong mandate for the ruling alliance in India’s richest civic body.
According to the survey, the BJP+ alliance — comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena — is expected to win between 131 and 151 seats in the 227-member BMC. This would comfortably place the NDA above the majority mark.
The UBT+ bloc, which includes the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), and the NCP (SP), is projected to secure 58–68 seats, while the Congress-led alliance is expected to be limited to 12–16 seats. Other parties and independents may collectively win 6–12 seats, the poll suggests.
Turnout Lower Than 2017 Civic Polls
Polling across Mumbai and 28 other municipal corporations in Maharashtra recorded an estimated voter turnout of 46–50 per cent, lower than the 55.53 per cent turnout seen in Mumbai during the 2017 BMC elections. Voting concluded at 5.30 pm under tight security, with more than 25,000 police personnel deployed across the city.
The BMC elections were held after a nine-year gap, delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, court rulings on OBC reservations, and ward delimitation exercises.
Controversy Over Ink Claims
The polling day saw controversy over allegations that the indelible ink used on voters’ fingers could be easily removed. While the State Election Commission dismissed the claims, opposition leaders Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray accused the poll body of irregularities and demanded accountability.
Our Thoughts
If the exit poll projections hold, the BMC result would mark a major political shift in Mumbai, strengthening the BJP-led NDA’s grip on urban Maharashtra. However, the ink controversy and turnout dip indicate that the post-election narrative may extend beyond numbers to questions of trust and process.