Maharashtra election Exit poll results Highlights: BJP + likely to win between 131-151 seats in Mumbai

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AIMIM National Spokesperson Waris Pathan on Thursday criticised the handling of the ongoing Maharashtra civic elections, alleging widespread disorder at polling stations and holding both the state government and election authorities responsible for what he described as a serious failure of the democratic process, as per ANI.

Pathan said he personally visited multiple polling booths across Mumbai and observed significant confusion and mismanagement. He added that women, senior citizens, and first-time voters were among those most affected.

"It is the failure of the Maharashtra Govt and the fault of the Election Commissioner, I visited every booth in Mumbai and there was utter chaos everywhere. Names of voters were missing...women and senior citizens were so troubled. They were being turned back. What did the EC even do? My daughter's name was also missing...These are first-time voters and were excited to vote," he told ANI.

Union Minister and BJP leader Murlidhar Mohol on Thursday said his party is set to secure a majority in the Pune Municipal Corporation following the civic polls held the same day. Addressing a press conference after voting concluded, he claimed the BJP would win between 120 and 125 seats in the 165-member civic body, as per PTI.

"The way Punekars gave a mandate to BJP in 2017, similarly, this time too BJP will get a clear majority," Mohol said.

The BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena contested the Pune elections separately, while the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP) formed an alliance for the polls.

Civic officials on Thursday said that counting votes in Mumbai in phases, rather than simultaneously across all 227 electoral wards as was done in 2017, may slow down the declaration of results when the counting process begins on Friday morning, according to PTI.

The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) on Thursday evening announced a detailed investigation into the quality of the ‘indelible’ ink used in marker pens for the civic elections, following allegations by opposition leaders that the ink mark on voters’ fingers could be easily removed, raising concerns of bogus voting.

As polling was underway for 29 municipal corporations, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), social media platforms were flooded with videos claiming that the ink could be erased using chemicals such as acetone. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, however, dismissed these allegations.

Speaking to PTI, State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare said that in light of the controversy, the SEC will stop using marker pens in the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections and instead return to the traditional ink produced by Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited, a Karnataka government company, which is used in Assembly and Lok Sabha polls.

"The SEC has decided to conduct a probe.....it will cover not only the ink quality but also the videos which were circulated throughout the day. The probe into videos is to ascertain whether the ink was applied on the finger while voting or in a mischievous way," Waghmare said.

He added, "We will do a random sampling of marker pens used today across the state and verify the quality of the ink supplied to us. The formula for the quality of the ink is finalised by the Election commission of India and a private company supplied the pens to the SEC," the state election commissioner said. “We have been using these pens since 2011 for all local body elections."

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab on Thursday voiced concerns over the voting process in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, alleging that the indelible ink used to mark voters had been tampered with, according to ANI.

After casting his vote, Parab questioned the quality of the ink. Speaking to ANI, he said, "This is for the first time, I have never seen the ink vanishing this way. This is a marker... The ink of the election is different, and this marker is different, which can be wiped off... There is definitely some tampering..."

According to the Saam TV exit poll, the BJP-led alliances are projected to perform strongly across several municipal corporations in Maharashtra. In Mumbai, the BJP-led alliance is predicted to emerge victorious, while in Pune the BJP is expected to finish as the single largest party but fall short of an outright majority. Pimpri Chinchwad is also likely to see a BJP win. In Ahilyanagar, a BJP–NCP alliance is projected to take control, and in Jalna, the BJP-led alliance is expected to prevail.

Navi Mumbai and Panvel are both predicted to go in favour of the BJP, while in Mira Bhayander the BJP may need the support of four additional corporators to form the council. Vasai–Virar is forecast to be won by the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA). In Bhiwandi, the Congress is projected to lead, with other parties together accounting for around 33 of the 90 seats.

Kalyan–Dombivli is expected to be won by a BJP-led alliance, while Thane is likely to see a Shiv Sena–BJP combine in power. In Ulhasnagar, a Shiv Sena–Omie Kalani alliance is projected to lead, though the mayoral contest could be tight if the BJP manages to attract support from other corporators.

According to a survey by DV Research, the BJP–Shiv Sena alliance is projected to secure between 107 and 122 seats. The alliance of the Thackeray brothers is expected to win 68 to 83 seats, while the Congress-led alliance may bag 18 to 35 seats. Other parties and independents are likely to account for 8 to 15 seats, it suggests.

Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad on Thursday accused the BJP-led ruling alliance of widespread misuse of money and influence in the BMC elections, while expressing confidence in Congress’s victory, according to PTI.

After casting her vote in Dharavi, Gaikwad told reporters that the Mahayuti coalition engaged in corrupt practices during the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. She claimed that cash and goods, including mixer grinders, were being distributed openly, yet no action was taken against the ruling alliance, comprising BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, while Congress workers were allegedly targeted.

Approximately 50% voter turnout was observed in Mumbai and 28 other municipal corporations across Maharashtra on Thursday, amid controversy over claims that the ink applied on voters' fingers could be easily wiped off, according to PTI. Speaking shortly after the polls closed at 5:30 PM, State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare stated that the turnout across the 29 civic bodies ranged between 46% and 50%.

In terms of vote share in BMC, the exit poll estimates the BJP+ alliance at 42 per cent, followed by the UBT+ alliance at 32 per cent. The Congress-led grouping is projected to secure 13 per cent, while others are also estimated at 13 per cent, with a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points.

According to the projections, the BJP+ alliance, comprising the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, is likely to win between 131 and 151 seats, comfortably crossing the majority mark in the 227-member BMC. The UBT-led alliance, which includes Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS, and NCP (SP), is projected to secure 58 to 68 seats, while the Congress-led front, including the VBA, is expected to win 12 to 16 seats. Other parties and independents may account for 6 to 12 seats.

The Axis My India exit poll for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections projects a clear advantage for the BJP-led alliance, assuming an estimated voter turnout of around 54 per cent. The poll notes that any decline in turnout could reduce the BJP+ alliance’s overall seat share.

According to the Democracy Times Network exit poll for the 2026 BMC elections, the BJP–Shiv Sena alliance is projected to secure a clear majority with 142 of the 227 seats. The opposition bloc comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS, and NCP (SP) is expected to win 58 seats, while the Congress–VBA alliance may secure 19 seats. Other parties are projected to account for the remaining eight seats. The poll has a stated margin of error of plus or minus five seats.

The JVC exit poll projects that the BJP-Mahayuti alliance will secure 138 seats in the BMC elections.

According to the JVC exit poll, the BJP is projected to dominate the North zone, which has 42 seats, with an estimated 27–28 seats. The Shiv Sena (SHS) is expected to secure around 7–8 seats, while the Shiv Sena (UBT) may win 4–5 seats. Congress is projected to take 2–3 seats, whereas the MNS and other parties are likely to draw a blank in the region.

Improper drainage system, flooding are among the biggest issues during civic polls in Maharashtra, Pradeep Gupta said on Aajtak. He added poor road condition, shortage of public toilets as other issues.

BMC Election Exit poll Results LIVE: BJP+ will have over 20 mayors of 29 corporations that voted today, Pradeep Gupta said.

BMC Election Exit poll Results LIVE:Voting for the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections wrapped up in Mumbai on Thursday, alongside polls for 28 other municipal corporations across Maharashtra, according to an Election Commission official.

“If BMC voter turn out cross 53 per cent, Mahayuti will have an edge,” says Pradeep Gupta on News24.

Maharashtra election 2026 Exit poll LIVE: PB Group Chairman and MD Punit Balan says, "The Corporation elections have happened after 9 years. The only expectation voters like us have is that the infrastructure work which is going on, after the elected members come into the corporation, every ward, wherever they are elected, these works happen a little faster...After the elected members come in, they will put more pressure on the corporation and the authorities there and get the work done...Everyone has not voted, they should get out of their house and vote...My appeal to all the people will be that everyone should go to cast their vote."

BMC Election Exit poll Results LIVE: 41.08 % till 3.30 PM in BMC elections

Male — 2327033

Female— 1922500

Others — 180

Total — 4249713

Per centage 41.08 % till 3.30 pm

Maharashtra election 2026 Exit poll LIVE: Exit polls have historically been known to be inaccurate. The actual results will be known only after the counting of voters begins at 10 am on Friday.

Maharashtra election 2026 Exit poll LIVE: The predictions are based on voter feedback collected by survey agencies after the polling. While the idea behind exit polls is to accurately reflect public sentiment before the actual results are announced, their accuracy has faced scrutiny in the past.

Maharashtra election 2026 Exit poll LIVE: After casting her vote in BMC polls, Actress Mahima Chaudhry says, "There are a lot of booths... The main issue for everyone is that the party that does good governance should win... If someone can come here and resolve the main issues with water, clean air, roads..."

Maharashtra election 2026 Exit poll LIVE: Mumbai has recorded 40% voting in BMC polls till 3.30 pm, Election Commission of India said. The voting will continue till 5.30 PM.

Maharashtra election 2026 Exit poll LIVE: Pradeep Gupta will be on News24 at 5.30 pm, on Aaj Tak at 6 pm, on NDTV at 8 pm and on CNN News18 at 9 pm.

Maharashtra election 2026 Exit poll LIVE: Psephologist Pradeep Gupta-led Axis My India will start streaming its BMC Exit Poll results in different news channels from 5.30 pm.