Maharashtra Elections 2026 Exit Poll Live Updates: Highlights

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.

Exit polls for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections have projected a clear edge for the Mahayuti, with most surveys indicating that the BJP–Shiv Sena alliance is set to emerge victorious in Asia’s richest civic body. The Axis My India poll has estimated 141 seats for the alliance, while the JVC survey has projected a tally of 138 wards, comfortably above the majority mark.

The much-discussed reunion of estranged Thackeray cousins Uddhav and Raj after two decades, however, appears unlikely to yield major electoral dividends. The Axis My India exit poll has projected just 63 seats for the Shiv Sena (UBT)–MNS alliance, while the JVC poll has forecast a similar outcome, putting the combine at 59 wards.

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 15 (ANI): Actor Mahima Chaudhry believes that whichever party comes to power after winning the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections 2026 should focus on key civic issues such as reliable water supply, clean air, and improved road infrastructure.

After casting her vote on Thursday, Mahima told ANI, "I feel the most important thing for everyone is that the party which delivers good governance should win. What concerns me the most is how difficult things become during emergencies, especially when ambulances are stuck. I keep wondering when this situation will improve."

She added, "If someone can genuinely address Mumbai's core issues like water supply, clean air, and better roads, then we will have done our part."

Earlier in the day, celebrities like Akshay Kumar, Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Twinkle Khanna, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Khan, and Gaurav Khanna were spotted arriving at their respective polling booths to cast their votes.

Polling for civic body elections began across 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra this morning.According to the State Election Commission, voter turnout stood at 29.22 per cent till 1:30 pm after a sluggish start earlier in the day.

The elections are crucial for major urban centres, including Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Nashik and Pimpri-Chinchwad, with vote counting scheduled for January 16.

Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad on Thursday alleged large-scale misuse of money and power by the ruling BJP-led alliance in the BMC elections, but expressed confidence that her party would emerge victorious.

Speaking to reporters after casting her vote in Dharavi, Gaikwad accused the Mahayuti coalition of indulging in corrupt practices during the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls.

She alleged that cash and goods, including mixer grinders, were distributed openly, but no action was taken against the ruling alliance, which comprises the BJP, Shiv Sena and the NCP. Congress workers were targeted instead, she claimed.

Voting for elections to 29 municipal corporations in the state, including the Mumbai civic body, concluded on Thursday evening. Votes will be counted on January 16 (Friday).

“Despite adopting all unfair means, the BJP will not succeed. Mumbaiites want clean air, drinking water, freedom from traffic congestion, better healthcare facilities, quality education and an end to corruption in the municipal corporation. They are tired of the BJP alliance’s corrupt governance and want development, not disputes,” Gaikwad said.

She claimed that the Congress alliance had received a positive response from voters and would cross the “magic figure” in the BMC, leading to a Congress-led civic body.

Gaikwad also criticised the Election Commission, alleging “mismanagement” in the conduct of the polls. She said discrepancies in the electoral rolls were not resolved till the last moment and alleged that political parties were not informed about the use of a new Printing and Auxiliary Display Units machine.

“There are complaints that the ink applied on voters’ fingers is being erased, but the Election Commission is remaining inactive. Conducting elections in such a manner amounts to stripping democracy of its essence, which is dangerous for the country,” she added.

Exit polls for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections has projected the BJP emerging as the single largest party with 138 seats, followed by the Shiv Sena (UBT) with 59 seats and the Congress with 23 seats. Other parties and independents are expected to secure around seven seats, according to the projections.

The BMC has a total of 227 seats, and a party or alliance would need 114 seats to secure a simple majority. Official counting of votes is scheduled January 16.

Around 41.08 per cent of voters had exercised their franchise till 3.30 pm on Thursday in the elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), officials said.

Polling began at 7.30 am across the city’s 227 wards amid tight security arrangements and will continue till 5.30 pm, a BMC spokesperson said.

According to official data, ward number 114 in suburban Bhandup recorded the highest turnout at 53.34 per cent, while ward number 227 in the Colaba area of south Mumbai reported the lowest turnout at 15.73 per cent.

Officials said voter participation was steady through the day, with polling personnel deployed across all wards to ensure smooth conduct of the civic elections.

Amid the mounting controversy over alleged indelible ink, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday asserted that "free and fair polling" was being ensured in the state local body elections. Dismissing Maharashtra Navnirnman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray's allegations that a new pen has been replaced with the indelible ink, Shinde said that "the same ink has been used for years" and that "fair elections are being ensured". "I have spoken with the Election Commission. They informed me that this ink has been in use for many years. The Election Commission has also taken full precautions to ensure that no fraudulent voting takes place," Shinde told the media after casting his vote here. Following the incident of an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) being shut down at a polling station in Thane, the Deputy CM said the EC has taken "necessary precautions." "Records are being maintained for locations where machines (EVMs) have malfunctioned. Therefore, the Election Commission has made proper arrangements and taken necessary precautions in this regard," Shinde said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray on Thursday raised allegations of electoral malpractice happening in the ongoing local body polls across 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra. Thackeray alleged that the indelible ink, which is put on the fingers of electors after voting, is being easily removed with nail polish remover and sanitisers, allowing certain people to seemingly vote more than once. He said that such a situation is proof of 'collusion' between the ruling Mahayuti and the State Election Commission (SEC). "Perhaps this is the first election where so many complaints are coming in that the ink applied is coming off immediately. There is collusion between the Election Commission and the ruling party. Many irregularities are happening," Thackeray alleged during a press conference. Calling for action to be taken against the election commissioner, he took a jibe at the poll body, asking whether they had "hired a sanitiser agency" to allow for the ink to be removed so easily. "Has a sanitiser agency hired by Election Commission? I think action should be taken against the Election Commissioner. What have they done in the last nine years? The Election Commission is a servant, not a king. I urge you to come out in large numbers and vote," he said.

Sluggish voting trend across 29 municipalities in Maharashtra which began voting for civic body polls on Thursday continued with only 17.41% voter turnout recorded by 11.30am, according to the State Election Commission. Earlier in day, only 7.12 per cent voter turnout recorded till 9:30 am in Mumbai. The highest voter turnout was recorded in Ward 18 of Mumbai, at 11.57 per cent. Ward no. 162 recorded the lowest turnout at 1.68 per cent. A total of 7,36,996 voters have cast their votes out of a total 1,03,44,315. According to official data released by the State Election Commission (SEC), nearly twice as many men as women have cast their votes. 4,54,539 men have cast their vote in BMC elections, compared to 2,82,433 women. Earlier, several leaders, including Maharashtra Minister Ganesh Naik and his family, cast their votes at the Bonkode Polling Station for the local body polls. Former Rajya Sabha MP, Subhash Chandra also cast his vote and criticised the 'higher income groups' for complaining but not coming out to vote.

Amid the row over marker pen being used to ink fingers of voters, the Maharashtra State Election Commission has clarified that the state election commission had issued orders on November 19, 2011 and November 28, 2011 regarding the use of marker pens for applying ink on voters’ fingers. Since then, marker pens have been used in local self-government elections to mark voters’ fingers.

"As per these orders, the ink should be applied with a marker pen in such a way that it is clearly visible on the voter’s finger. The ink should be rubbed three to four times on the nail and on the skin above the nail. These instructions have been issued earlier and are also printed on the marker pens themselves. The State Election Commission has therefore appealed to voters not to attempt the malpractice of erasing the ink," the Maharashtra State Election Commission said.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray says, "The ink that was used before is being replaced with a new pen, and there are complaints about this new pen. If you use a hand sanitizer, the ink disappears. Now, the only option left is to apply the ink, go outside, wipe it off, and then go back inside and vote again. A new rule has been implemented for campaigning. This shows that the government can do anything to stay in power. We don't call this an election when someone comes to power through such fraudulent means. I appeal to the people, the Shiv Sena workers, and the Matoshree Sena workers to be vigilant about all these things. A person was caught casting a vote twice..."

On MNS chief Raj Thackeray's statement, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis says, "I have also been marked with a marker, is it erasing? The Election Commission should look into this issue and use something else, they can use oil paint if they want, the elections should be impartial. But creating a ruckus on everything and raising questions is very wrong."

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday called for action against the Maharashtra State Election Commissioner, questioning the delay in conducting the state municipal elections.

Uddhav said that it should be revealed how the Election Commissioner is paid and demanded action against those responsible for the delay in the state municipal polls.

"It should be revealed how the Election Commissioner is paid. The Mumbai municipal elections are being held after a nine-year gap. What were the Election Commissioner and his staff doing for these years? Action should be taken against them," Uddhav Thackeray said.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief also urged voters to cast their votes, stating that he and his family had exercised their right.

"Our entire family voted together, and we appeal to all voters in all constituencies where elections are being held to cast their votes," he said.

Voter turnout recorded till 11.30am in Marathwada

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: 17.91%

Nanded-Waghala: 17.14%

Latur: 18.22%

Jalna: 20.13%

Parbhani: 18.84 %

As voting for the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections got underway on Thursday, social media was flooded with videos of common voters, politicians and mediapersons using Acetone to wipe off the ‘indelible’ ink on their fingers after voting. The BMC, however, rejected reports claiming that the ink marks on voters' fingers were being wiped off during the ongoing civic polls. Acetone is a colourless, volatile and flammable organic solvent with a sweet, pungent odour, widely used in nail polish removers, paint thinners, and cleaning agents due to its ability to dissolve many substances. Mumbai Congress leader and Lok Sabha member Varsha Gaikwad posted a video of her party colleague using Acetone to wipe off the ink from his finger. “BMC wiping off accountability? Since morning we have been receiving several reports of how the marker ink being used to show voting has been done, is easily being wiped off. My colleague and his wife here demonstrate how this ink can be easily wiped off with acetone or nail polish remover,” she posted on X.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday cast his vote in Prabhag No. 15 of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections and later interacted with the media, using the occasion to mount a sharp attack on the opposition while expressing confidence of a decisive mandate in favour of the BJP. Calling elections a “Lokshahi festival,” Fadnavis urged citizens to actively participate in strengthening democracy. He appealed to voters to contribute generously to civic development, stating that contributing to the system was not merely a right but a civic duty. “If we want to build a good city and a strong democracy, everyone must participate wholeheartedly,” he said. The Chief Minister strongly condemned the alleged attack on BJP candidate Bhushan Shingne, accusing Congress workers of resorting to violence after sensing defeat. “When elections cannot be won democratically, attacking candidates is nothing but an assault on democracy,” Fadnavis said, claiming that Shingne suffered serious injuries, including fractures. He asserted that such incidents would not weaken the BJP or its campaign. “The people of Maharashtra will respond to this through their vote,” he added.

As Maharashtra prepares for the announcement of municipal corporation election results tomorrow, the state’s political scene has turned into a maze of changing alliances, tactical collaborations and independent contests.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the ruling Mahayuti, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have come together for "money and power". Raut said the political atmosphere in Mumbai has shifted noticeably in recent days, with voters more aware of their right to vote. He asserted that Marathi identity was not part of Mahayuti's agenda, which is why Uddhav and Raj Thackeray have united to protect Marathi interests. "Three political parties have come together purely for power and money; Marathi identity is not part of their agenda. That is why Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray have united on a single platform to protect Marathi interests," Raut said while addressing a press conference here.Shiv Sena (UBT) is contesting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections in alliance with Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Raut expressed confidence that his party would win the upcoming BMC elections, asserting that voters now stand firmly with Shiv Sena and the Marathi identity.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi cast her vote at a polling station in Mumbai as polling for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections was underway. Chaturvedi complained that she couldn't find her name in the voter list and was directed to another polling booth, where she was able to cast her vote. She urged citizens to turn out in large numbers and exercise their voting rights. "Upon arriving at the polling station where I usually vote, I found that my name was not on the list. I was directed to another location where I cast my vote. I appeal to all Mumbaikars to vote in large numbers and to please check their polling booth details before going to vote. It is very important to vote for a party that has earned our trust over the years," Chaturvedi told ANI.

A mysterious fire broke out in the early hours of Thursday severely damaging the temporary pandal, curtains, and Congress party flags erected outside the election booth office of Shivani Chaudhary, the Congress candidate from Ward No. 31(D). The episode has once again highlighted the tense political atmosphere in the ward as the civic polls draw nearer. The blaze, which occurred between 2 AM and 4 AM, completely destroyed the decorative setup. Congress workers have alleged that the incident was a deliberate act of political sabotage, directly accusing rival activists of setting the materials ablaze to intimidate their candidate and supporters ahead of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation elections.

Noted lyricist and poet Gulzar on Thursday arrived at a polling station in Mumbai to cast his vote in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.
Urging citizens to participate in the democratic process, he emphasised the importance of voting. "We are rooted in our homeland, and your vote is to nurture those roots and to nurture democracy. So be sure to fulfil this duty," Gulzar said after casting his vote. Bollywood actor John Abraham also arrived at the polling station to cast his vote. Polling is being held on Thursday across 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra. The elections are taking place after an intense campaign and are seen as crucial for major cities, including Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Nashik, and Pimpri-Chinchwad.

Polling is underway for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) general election 2025–26 on Wednesday, with 993 candidates contesting for 151 corporator seats across the city. Voter turnout remained low in the early hours, with 7% polling recorded till 9.30 am, according to election officials. Several voters expressed disappointment after finding their names missing from electoral rolls, while others faced inconvenience due to shifting of polling booths and transfer of voter names from one prabhag to another. Election authorities have appealed to citizens to remain patient and participate in large numbers as polling continues through the day.

BJP MP Hema Malini on Thursday cast her vote in the ongoing Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections in Mumbai and urged citizens to exercise their right to vote. She said Mumbai is the best city in the world, and only by exercising their right to vote, citizens will be able to make it even better. "I urge everyone to come out and vote. Just like I came this morning to vote. If you want security, progress, clean air, and pothole-free roads in Mumbai, then we all have to take responsibility and vote. Only by exercising your right to vote will you be able to make Mumbai, which I believe is the best city in the world, even better. I request all the citizens of Mumbai to come and vote for the right people," Malini told reporters.

Though Mumbai’s voter base has grown by over 12%, the number of candidates has fallen by nearly 25% from the 2017 polls. The contest features a diverse mix: doctors, professionals, housewives and auto drivers. The polls will include at least one women-managed ‘pink’ polling station in every ward. Several agencies, including municipal school staff, have been deployed for election duty, with the police, supported by SRPF, quick response teams and riot control units, putting security arrangements in place.

Polling for India’s richest municipal corporation, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), began early Thursday morning, with hundreds of voters queuing to exercise their franchise and elect 277 new ward members after a gap of nearly eight years. The last BMC election was held in February 2017, and the posts of mayor and deputy mayor are currently vacant.

Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Ashish Shelar on Thursday claimed that MNS chief Raj Thackeray had already accepted his party's defeat in the Mumbai civic polls and was blaming the State Election Commission for passing the buck. Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray have raised objections over the use of Printing Auxiliary Display Units during the civic elections underway on Thursday. The units is being used in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls for the first time to facilitate vote counting in the event of technical glitches in electronic voting machines (EVMs). They will act as backup units, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani had said, adding that these, like the other EVM units, will remain with Returning Officers and will be used only in case of emergency. To a question, Shelar said Raj Thackeray was coming up with baseless excuses to deflect responsibility for his party's performance in the BMC polls and blaming the SEC for passing the buck. "I appeal to voters to come forward and vote in large numbers for progress and development. This is an opportunity to teach a lesson to (Uddhav) Thackeray and his way of running the BMC," he told reporters.

Mumbai’s voters finally get a chance to elect their own corporators to India’s richest civic body after an unprecedented gap of nine years due to the pandemic and a spate of court cases. The BMC has been governed by the municipal commissioner, a state-appointed administrator, since the term of the previous house ended four years ago. On Thursday, it will go to the polls along with 28 other municipal corporations whose terms have similarly expired. This is a high-stakes election in a civic body which was controlled by the undivided Shiv Sena for 26 consecutive years. For Uddhav Thackeray whose Shiv Sena (UBT) was routed in the state assembly polls, this is a battle for survival in the city where the party was born. The election brought Uddhav and his estranged cousin Raj Thackeray together in an alliance after two decades. They will face off against the Mahayuti alliance of the BJP and deputy CM Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena.
The BJP, which swept the assembly polls, seeks to annex the last bastion of its former ally-turned foe while Shinde’s party hopes to consolidate its base as the “real Sena”, especially in the MumbaiThane belt. The Congress which once held power in the city has seen its hold weaken and is contesting in alliance with the Prakash Ambedkarled Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi while Ajit Pawar’s NCP which has little presence in the city is contesting solo.

Indian stock markets remained closed for trading on Thursday due to the municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra. Trading was halted across both major stock exchanges, including the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), in view of the polling day. Market participants are informed that trading activities in the equity segment will resume on Friday, following the one-day closure. The holiday applies to all segments on the NSE and BSE for the day.

Maharashtra minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ashish Shelar expressed confidence in a Mahayuti victory (BJP-Shiv Sena), which would "teach a lesson to the corrupt party of Thackeray" in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, which commenced on Thursday. Showing his inked finger to mediapersons after casting his vote, Shelar said that the BMC polls are the "most crucial for the development of Mumbai." "It's the most crucial election, for the development of Mumbai and a budget of over Rs 40,000 crore. We have to make our city a developed Mumbai. I appeal to the voters to come out in large numbers," Shelar told reporters. While also attacking the Shiv Sena (UBT) party, Shelar said that this election is also an opportunity to "teach a lesson to the corrupt party of Thackeray." "I appeal to the voters to come out in large numbers. You have the opportunity to teach a lesson to the corrupt party of Thackeray... The Mumbaikars have decided to vote for Viksit Maharashtra under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde," he said. Shelar further claimed that the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena will face 'defeat' just like they did in the 2014 and 2017 state elections, because of how they allegedly linked the polls to language.

More than 28,000 police personnel were deployed across Mumbai to maintain law and order as voting for the city’s civic body polls got underway on Thursday, officials said. Long queues were seen at various polling booths, as the voting commenced at 7.30 am for the 227-ward Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Police deployment at the polling centres had been done well in advance to ensure a safe and peaceful election process, an official said. More than 25,000 constables, 3,000 officers, including 10 additional commissioners, 33 deputy commissioners and 84 assistant commissioners of police were posted at various polling centres and important places in the city, he said.

After casting her vote in the BMC polls, Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC has said that she is confident of emphatic win for Mahayuti alliance in Mumbai.

“With the blessings of Maa Mumbadevi, Ganpati Bappa, and the strong on-ground work of Eknath Shinde, we are confident of Mahayuti’s victory. People are troubled by issues like the environment, potholes, and sewage. Mahayuti has answered all these concerns. Our manifesto is a 100% guarantee plan, and after 2017, Mumbaikars have decided to vote for progress. The Mayor will be from Mahayuti – a Marathi, a Hindu, and someone whose heart beats for Mumbai and its development,” Shaina said.

Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Prakash Javdekar casts his vote at a polling booth in Balshikshan School, Pune, for Maharashtra local body elections.

Polling is underway in 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra as a high-voltage campaign comes to an end, setting the stage for a decisive political contest in key urban centres including Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Navi Mumbai, Thane and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The BJP and the Shiv Sena are contesting the civic elections as allies under the Mahayuti banner, except in Pune, while the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has chosen to fight independently in most corporations. However, in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, both NCP factions have come together under a joint manifesto. The main political battle remains centred on Mumbai and Pune, where the BJP-led Mahayuti will face the united Thackeray camp, as just ahead of the Civic poll, both parties' Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray joined hands on the issue of Marathi Manus in a high-stakes fight for control of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the country's richest civic body. The last BMC elections were held in 2017.

The polls are widely viewed as a crucial moment for the Thackeray brothers, who have come together again after two decades, to reassert their legacy as Bal Thackeray’s political heirs and secure their future.

On BMC elections 2026, MNS leader Yashwant Killedar says, "I am going to cast my vote, but before doing so, I came here (Shree Siddhivinayak Temple), which I do every time. Before starting any good work, I always seek Bappa's (Lord Ganesha's) blessings, and that's what I've come here to do. In Mumbai, the Shiv Sena-MNS alliance will win, and a Marathi person will be the mayor."

Actor Akshay Kumar says, "Today, the voting for BMC is taking place. As Mumbaikars, we have the remote control with us today. I would request all the people of Mumbai to come out in large numbers and cast their votes. If we have to be the real hero of Mumbai, we shouldn't do dialoguebaazi, instead come out and cast out votes..."

Brothers and Shiv Sena candidates Nitin Patil and Ravi Patil were arrested after an attempt-to-murder FIR was filed following a clash between Sena and BJP workers in Dombivli, which left the husband of BJP candidate Arya Natekar seriously injured. The BJP and Shiv Sena, though allies in the state, are contesting against each other in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation elections.

Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC urges people to vote in the BMC polls, saying, “If you don’t vote, you lose your right. This is Mumbai’s most important election since 2017. The Municipal Corporation election matters the most for the city. If you want a pothole-free Mumbai, modern sewage treatment plants, a clean environment, good water supply, and a corruption-free BMC, then come out and vote. Under the Mahayuti leadership, we are confident because of the good work done by our leader. Our aim is to make Mumbai a world-class city and a strong financial and fintech hub for a developed Maharashtra.”

The Maharashtra government has announced January 15 as a public holiday in areas under the 29 municipal corporations going to polls. Employers have been instructed to provide employees with two to three hours to cast their votes, while schools in all cities will remain closed on the day of polling.

A disturbing incident was reported from Nagpur late on the night before polling, when BJP candidate Bhushan Shingane was allegedly attacked in what is being described as an attempt on his life. Shingane is contesting the election from Ward No. 11 on a BJP ticket.

Tension prevailed in Ward No. 15, particularly Sindhi Camp, on Wednesday following allegations of cash distribution. Workers of the BJP and the Shiv Sena (UBT) confronted each other, leading to a brief but tense standoff. Shiv Sena (UBT) alleged BJP activists were distributing money to influence voters. Police rushed to the spot, separating the groups and restoring order. Additional deployment has been made as a precaution.

The Khadan police on Wednesday seized Rs 50 lakh cash after intercepting a twowheeler during nakabandi. Police recovered a black bag kept near the footrest and a white cloth bag from the vehicle’s dicky, which together contained Rs 50 lakh cash. Based on a tip off, the vehicle was intercepted on the road between the old Paraskar showroom and Nishu Nursery. The rider was identified as Yash Anand Lalwani (27).

Twelve “official” Koli candidates are contesting in Thursday’s civic elections in Mumbai, including six women. The Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kruti Samiti has urged the fishing community to support these candidates, regardless of the political party backing them.

Among the 12, four candidates have been fielded by the Congress, two by the Shiv Sena, and three each by Shiv Sena (UBT) and the BJP. In addition to these official candidates, a few other Koli community members are also contesting the municipal elections. However, their candidacy is not endorsed by the Machhimar unions, which claim these candidates are being fielded to split votes within the community.

Voters will be eligible for special discounts of around 10% at select hotels and restaurants participating in the election awareness campaign. The offers are being extended by the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR), one of Maharashtra’s largest hospitality bodies, which represents about 8,000 hotels, restaurants, and permit rooms across 65 district-level associations. Another major organisation, HRAWI, representing 3,000 star hotels and bars, has also joined the SVEEP initiative.