BMC Elections: Dates Out, Thackeray vs BJP-Shinde Direct Clash

• Maharashtra's Election Commission announced elections for 29 municipal corporations.
• Mumbai and Navi Mumbai municipal elections are scheduled for January 15, 2026, with vote counting on January 16, 2026.
• A code of conduct has been implemented, prohibiting new project inaugurations or announcements that could influence voters.
• Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena and Raj Thackeray's MNS are expected to unite against BJP and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena in Mumbai.
• The 2017 Mumbai elections saw a close contest, with Shiv Sena winning 84 seats and BJP 82.

Why It Matters: Maharashtra's municipal elections will determine political power in major cities.