Mumbai, Jan 13 (NationPress) The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, stated on Tuesday that the residents have made their decision to secure the victory of the Shiv Sena-BJP Mahayuti candidates in the upcoming local civic elections.

While campaigning, Shinde shared with IANS that there has been a significant public response.

“The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and the community appears content. The citizens have resolved to support the Shiv Sena-BJP Mahayuti candidates and are eager to initiate change in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. We are confident that the Mahayuti will take control of the BMC, and the Mayor will be from our alliance,” Shinde remarked.

Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC also conveyed her optimism regarding the alliance’s performance, predicting that the Mahayuti could secure over 150 seats within Mumbai.

“The people of Mumbai are opting for a future-oriented politics and will undoubtedly rally behind the Mahayuti as we embark on this path of development. Our esteemed leaders, Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde, have made exceptional contributions in sectors like environment, healthcare, education, and sewage management, while also addressing the issue of potholes in Mumbai. This is not just rhetoric; we have tangible achievements,” she stated.

Shaina NC further indicated that Mahayuti members are actively involved in campaigning citywide.

“Our volunteers are on the ground, diligently working in their localities. This election transcends mere crowd size. In the addresses given by Fadnavis and Shinde, nearly 90% focused on development issues. We have inspired our workers, and I can confidently predict that when voters head to the polls in Mumbai on January 15, ask me again on January 16 whether it is numbers or performance that determines victory. The answer will be evident — it is the work that shapes the outcome,” she added.

The official election process commenced with notifications in December 2025. The State Election Commission (SEC) announced on December 15, 2025, that elections for 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), are set for January 15, 2026, in a single phase. Voting will occur from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with results revealed on January 16.

Voters are encouraged to go to their assigned polling stations during the designated hours. To promote voter turnout, the Maharashtra SEC has declared January 15 a public holiday in municipal corporation areas.

This election is being conducted under the Model Code of Conduct and follows directives from higher judicial authorities to complete pending local body elections in Maharashtra. More than one crore voters are eligible to vote in the BMC elections across all 227 wards, with a total of 1,700 candidates contesting for the BMC wards in Mumbai.