MUMBAI — Thirty Muslim candidates have won seats in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections 2026, marking only a marginal increase from the 2017 civic polls, when 29 Muslim corporators were elected. The outcome points to continuity rather than any significant expansion in Muslim representation in India’s richest civic body.
The Congress emerged with the highest number of successful Muslim candidates, securing 14 seats. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) won seven seats, a notable rise from just two in the previous BMC elections. The Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) won three seats, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) three, the Samajwadi Party two, and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) one.
Political observers say AIMIM’s improved performance has drawn particular attention, especially in Muslim-dominated localities such as Govandi, Deonar, and Cheeta Camp. Some leaders believe this shift has affected the prospects of traditional secular parties in closely contested wards.
A senior Congress leader in Mumbai said, “The numbers show that Muslim voters are still largely standing with secular parties, but the division of votes has reduced our strength in certain wards.”
An AIMIM worker from Govandi offered a different view, saying, “People voted for us because they feel we speak clearly and consistently on Muslim issues at the local level.”
Women candidates formed a significant part of the winning group, reflecting their growing role in Mumbai’s civic politics. Several wards in central and eastern Mumbai returned Muslim women corporators.
A Samajwadi Party leader acknowledged concerns over vote shifts and said, “Where Muslim votes are divided, it benefits others. This requires serious reflection before the next election.”
The wards that elected Muslim corporators include Bandra, Andheri East and West, Govandi, Kurla, Nagpada, Madanpura, Dharavi, Cheeta Camp, Sewri, and Agripada, underscoring the continued electoral significance of Muslim voters across many parts of the city.
Despite the slight numerical rise, community leaders said the results underline the need for greater political unity and strategic planning. A social activist from Nagpada remarked, “Thirty seats in a house of this size is not a major achievement. Muslims need stronger coordination and a common long-term strategy.”
Overall, the results suggest that Muslim representation in the BMC remains largely stable but has not grown in a meaningful way. The debate over vote division, party choices, and the future direction of Muslim electoral politics in Mumbai is expected to continue.
