MUMBAI: While the BJP-led Mahayuti is sweeping civic body elections across Maharashtra, Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has registered a significant performance, particularly in Muslim-majority wards, marking one of the party’s strongest showings outside its traditional stronghold in Telangana.

According to party sources, AIMIM is currently leading in 114 seats across the state. The party’s performance includes 33 seats in Sambhajinagar, 21 in Malegaon, 15 in Amravati, 14 in Nanded Waghala, 10 in Dhule, eight in Solapur, six in Mumbai, five in Thane, two in Jalna, and one in Chandrapur, as reported by news agency PTI. This surge highlights AIMIM’s ability to cut into the Congress’s traditional urban support base, which has suffered major setbacks in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.

Confidence Before Results

The party had expressed optimism prior to the results, with national spokesperson Waris Pathan noting after exit polls that AIMIM was likely to achieve “great success.” While emphasizing that exit polls are not always accurate, Pathan conveyed confidence in the party’s performance, stating, “Tomorrow is the vote counting, so tomorrow the results will come out. By tomorrow evening, everything will be clear. Who won, who lost, everything will be known… We are confident that the people have blessed us with their votes.”

Key Victories and AIMIM’s Message

Among the party’s prominent winners is Imtiaz Jaleel, who secured a seat from Sambhajinagar. Thanking voters, Jaleel signaled a pragmatic approach towards governance, saying, “If the BJP takes better decisions for the city’s people, we are ready to extend our support; otherwise, we will fulfill the responsibility of the opposition.”

The party’s success is attributed to a combination of strategic campaigning, the personal presence of Asaduddin Owaisi, and grassroots engagement. AIMIM leader Shareque Naqshbandi told PTI that Owaisi’s rallies in key constituencies were crucial to the party’s wins. “The presence of Asaduddin Owaisi and his rallies in potent pockets resulted in AIMIM winning 33 out of 37 seats we contested in Sambhajinagar,” Naqshbandi said.

Door-to-Door Campaigning and Overcoming Dissidence

In contrast to previous years, Owaisi invested more time in door-to-door campaigns, directly engaging with voters and addressing local civic issues. This hands-on approach helped the party overcome internal dissent: nearly 70% of disgruntled local leaders were persuaded to remain with the party, while others had joined rival parties. “This effort, combined with divisions among opposition parties, worked to our advantage,” Naqshbandi noted.

The party also motivated workers by highlighting past near-misses, such as Imtiaz Jaleel’s narrow defeat in the 2024 Assembly elections from Aurangabad East, which fueled local campaigning efforts.

Significance of the Maharashtra Tally

The Maharashtra results are significant for AIMIM, representing a major breakthrough outside Telangana. The party, which positions itself as a protector of minority rights, has previously ventured into states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, with mixed results. In the Bihar Assembly elections in November 2025, AIMIM secured only five seats out of 243, reflecting limited penetration.

By contrast, the current civic poll performance demonstrates AIMIM’s growing urban footprint and ability to consolidate minority votes in Muslim-dominated wards. Observers say this could serve as a springboard for greater influence in western India and provide leverage in coalition politics in urban local bodies.

As results continue to come in, AIMIM’s gains underscore a shifting urban political landscape in Maharashtra, where regional parties and community-focused groups are increasingly carving out spaces alongside national players such as the BJP and Congress.