NEW DELHI: Axis My India’s exit poll has projected a sweeping victory for the BJP-led NDA in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.According to the survey, the BJP+ alliance, comprising the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, is predicted to win between 131 and 151 of the BMC’s 227 seats. The UBT+ bloc, which includes the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, MNS and NCP (SP), is projected to secure 58–68 seats, while the Congress-led alliance is expected to manage just 12–16 seats. Others are likely to win between six and 12 seats. Polling across Mumbai and 28 other municipal corporations in Maharashtra saw an estimated turnout of 46–50 per cent, officials said, lower than the 55.53 per cent recorded in Mumbai during the 2017 civic polls. Voting concluded at 5.30 pm amid heavy security, with more than 25,000 police personnel deployed in the city.
The BMC election, held after a nine-year gap following delays caused by the pandemic, court rulings on OBC reservations and ward delimitation, witnessed a fiercely contested battle between the ruling Mahayuti and the reunited Thackeray cousins. Over 1,700 candidates were in the fray in Mumbai alone, with the civic body controlling an annual budget exceeding Rs 74,400 crore. The day was marred by controversy over claims that the indelible ink used on voters’ fingers could be easily removed. While the State Election Commission rejected the allegations, opposition leaders Uddhav and Raj Thackeray accused the poll body of serious irregularities, demanding accountability.