Mumbai: A day after the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a landslide victory in Maharashtra’s civic elections, including the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray broke his silence on the poll outcome, describing the contest as a clash between “immense financial power and the power of authority versus Shivshakti.”

The results from the 29 municipal corporations across the state were a stark setback for the Thackeray faction. The BJP emerged as the dominant force, winning 1,425 of 2,869 seats, while Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena secured 399 seats and Ajit Pawar-led NCP managed 167. The Uddhav Thackeray-aligned Shiv Sena (UBT) won 155 seats, while Raj Thackeray’s MNS was limited to just 13 seats. The BMC, India’s wealthiest civic body, was wrested away from Uddhav Thackeray, ending the family’s three-decade-old control over Mumbai’s civic administration.

Raj Thackeray’s Post-Election Statement

In his first public reaction after the defeat, Raj Thackeray took to X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate the newly elected corporators and frame the elections as a battle of “immense financial power and the power of authority against Shivshakti,” positioning the MNS’s ideological fight as distinct from the might of ruling parties.

Thackeray acknowledged the disappointment of MNS not achieving the expected results, but underscored that the party would not lose heart or give up. “The corporators who have been elected will more than hold their own against the ruling powers right there on the ground. And if anything is seen to be happening against the Marathi people, they will surely bring those in power to their knees,” he wrote, signalling a commitment to continued grassroots activism.

He also stressed the party’s long-term focus: “Whatever went wrong, whatever was left undone, wherever we fell short, and what needs to be done, we will all together analyse it and take action,” adding that the results would undergo thorough evaluation to guide future strategy.

Reiterating the MNS’s ideological mission, Raj Thackeray said the party remains committed to protecting the Marathi people, the Marathi language, Marathi identity, and ensuring a prosperous Maharashtra. He warned that ruling parties and their supporters “will not leave a single opportunity to harass and exploit the Marathi people,” signalling a continued political vigilance despite electoral setbacks.

“Elections will come and go, but we must never forget that our very breath is Marathi,” he added, invoking the cultural and linguistic ethos central to the MNS’s platform.

Breakdown of the BMC Results

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, which has a total of 227 seats, saw a decisive shift of power:

• BJP: 89 seats
• BJP-aligned Shiv Sena: 29 seats
• Shiv Sena (UBT): 65 seats
• MNS: 6 seats
• Congress (in alliance with Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi): 24 seats
• AIMIM: 8 seats
• NCP: 3 seats
• Samajwadi Party: 2 seats
• NCP (SP): 1 seat

The results underscore the BJP’s consolidation in urban Maharashtra, with the party and its allies securing clear majorities in Mumbai’s most significant civic institution. Meanwhile, the Thackeray reunion, formed as a rare alliance between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray after two decades, failed to yield significant electoral gains, highlighting the challenges of translating historical ties into current political momentum.

Wider State Context

Beyond Mumbai, the MNS’s overall performance in Maharashtra remained disappointing, with only 13 seats out of nearly 2,900 up for grabs across 29 municipal corporations. In contrast, the BJP’s dominance was reinforced in key urban and industrial hubs, while the Shinde faction and Uddhav-aligned Shiv Sena split the remaining non-BJP vote.

Political analysts note that the MNS’s limited electoral footprint reflects organizational challenges, voter migration to larger parties, and the overwhelming campaign machinery of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance. Raj Thackeray’s statement positions the party as a cultural and ideological guardian for the Marathi people, signalling that despite numerical losses, it aims to maintain relevance through grassroots activism and advocacy for regional identity.

Implications

The outcome of the civic polls has several significant implications:

1. End of the Thackeray stronghold in Mumbai: Uddhav Thackeray’s three-decade influence over the BMC has been decisively broken, reshaping power dynamics in the city.
2. BJP’s urban consolidation: The party’s ability to control key municipal corporations enhances its governance profile and strategic leverage ahead of future state and national elections.
3. Challenges for MNS and Uddhav Thackeray: Both factions must reassess their strategies and rebuild organizational strength to remain politically relevant.
4. Marathi identity politics: Raj Thackeray’s statements reinforce that the MNS will continue to advocate for linguistic and cultural concerns, potentially influencing urban governance debates even from outside the corridors of power.

While the elections mark a new chapter in Maharashtra politics, Raj Thackeray’s post-election narrative emphasizes resilience and long-term ideological commitment, framing the MNS as a continuing voice for the Marathi community amid shifting political currents.

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