Islam Party Triumphs in Malegaon Municipal Elections 2026, Shocks Major Parties

• The newly formed 'Islam Party' secured a surprising victory in the Malegaon Municipal Corporation elections 2026, winning 35 out of 84 seats.
• Major national parties like BJP (2 seats), Congress (3 seats), and AIMIM (21 seats) suffered significant setbacks, with Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena winning 18 seats.
• The Islam Party, founded in 2024 by former MLA Asif Sheikh, focused on local issues like powerloom industry, electricity, and water for weavers.
• The results highlight a shift towards local leadership, as voters prioritized candidates addressing street-level problems over national party agendas.
• With 35 seats, the Islam Party needs 8 more for a majority and is likely to form an alliance with Samajwadi Party (5 seats) and Congress (3 seats) to elect its first Mayor.

Why It Matters: A new local party, Islam Party, dominated Malegaon elections, signaling a shift from national parties to local issues.