Ajit Pawar's NCP Unveils First BMC Poll Candidates; Mahayuti Finalizes Seat-Sharing

• Ajit Pawar's NCP released its first list of 37 candidates for BMC Elections 2026, opting to contest independently despite being part of the state-level Mahayuti alliance.
• BJP Mumbai president Amit Satam ruled out an alliance with NCP for civic polls, citing Nawab Malik's role and his alleged links to money laundering and Dawood Ibrahim.
• The ruling Mahayuti alliance (BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena) finalized seat-sharing for 207 of the 227 BMC wards.
• BJP will contest 128 seats and Shinde's Shiv Sena 79, with discussions ongoing for the remaining 20 seats.
• BMC elections for 29 municipal corporations, including BMC, are scheduled for January 15, 2026, with counting on January 16.

Why It Matters: Ajit Pawar's NCP goes solo in BMC polls, while Mahayuti finalizes seat-sharing amid internal rifts.