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BMC Elections 2026: Shiv Sena Split Turns Mumbai-South Central Into High-Stakes Battleground

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Mumbai, Jan 06: Mumbai South-Central, which includes predominantly Marathi-speaking areas such as Worli, Dadar–Mahim and Parel–Lalbaug, has traditionally been a strong bastion of Shiv Sena (UBT). However, the split within the party has altered the political landscape ahead of the 2026 BMC elections.

In areas like Lalbaug–Parel and Dadar–Mahim, the contest has now become a direct fight between the Shiv Sena (UBT)–MNS alliance and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

Meanwhile, in Worli, long-time loyalists are contesting as independent candidates, posing a challenge for the party’s official nominee by potentially splitting votes. Overall, the elections in these areas are expected to witness tough and closely fought contests between rival Sena factions and rebel candidates.

Once dominant in Dadar and Mahim, Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) face a high-stakes battle in the BMC elections, as Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray aim to consolidate Marathi voters through their alliance, while the Shinde-led Shiv Sena mounts a strong challenge.

To retain its stronghold, UBT has fielded three former mayors, while the Shinde faction has nominated family members of former UBT leader Sada Sarvankar, who joined the Shinde faction in 2022. This raises the possibility of a split in the Marathi vote, making the outcome uncertain.

Milind Vaidya — Shiv Sena (UBT), former mayor
Rajan Parkar — BJP

Vishakha Raut — Shiv Sena (UBT), former mayor
Priya Sarvankar — Shiv Sena (Shinde), daughter of former MLA Sada Sarvankar

Vandana Gawli — Shiv Sena (Shinde), former corporator from Akhil Bhartiya Sena (ABS)
Aboli Khadye — Shiv Sena (UBT), wife of local shakha pramukh

Kishori Pednekar — Shiv Sena (UBT), former mayor
Rupali Kusale — Shiv Sena (Shinde)

The Sewri–Lalbaug–Parel belt, a mix of traditional working-class neighbourhoods and rapidly developing commercial hubs, has long been a stronghold of the Shiv Sena. Dominated by Shiv Sena (UBT), the area has witnessed growing competition following the party split.

With the Shinde-led Sena actively contesting these wards, the belt has become a key battleground in the upcoming BMC elections. Voter loyalty, especially among Marathi-speaking residents, is expected to play a decisive role.

Shradha Jadhav — Shiv Sena (UBT), former mayor and six-time corporator
Parth Navkar — BJP
Vijay Indulkar — Independent, former UBT shakha pramukh who rebelled after being denied a ticket

Anil Kokil — Shiv Sena (Shinde), former UBT corporator
Kiran Tadve — Shiv Sena (UBT)

Sachin Padwal — Shiv Sena (UBT), former corporator
Nana Ambole — Shiv Sena (Shinde), former corporator and ex-BJP member

Worli, another stronghold of Shiv Sena (UBT) represented by Aaditya Thackeray as MLA, has witnessed internal dissent after the party nominated family members of former UBT corporators.

This has caused unrest among shakha pramukhs — key grassroots leaders crucial for party unity and outreach. In all four wards, rebel candidates have filed nominations, raising the likelihood of vote splits and making it difficult for UBT to retain its bastion.

Hemangi Worlikar — Shiv Sena (UBT), former deputy mayor
Pralhad Worlikar — Shiv Sena (Shinde)
Suryakant Koli — Independent, UBT shakha pramukh who rebelled after being denied a ticket

Nishikant Shinde — Shiv Sena (UBT), brother of MLC Sunil Shinde
Samadhan Sarvankar — Shiv Sena (Shinde), former corporator and son of former MLA Sada Sarvankar
Sonal Pawar — Independent, local party functionary who rebelled against UBT candidate

Padmaja Chemburkar — Shiv Sena (UBT), wife of former corporator Ashish Chemburkar
Sonali Sawant — BJP
Sangeeta Jagtap — Independent, UBT functionary who rebelled against the candidature

Vanita Narvankar — Shiv Sena (Shinde), wife of former UBT corporator Datta Narvankar
Rachna Salvi — MNS
Shravani Desai — Independent, wife of former corporator Parshuram (Chotu) Desai, rebel candidate after seat was allotted to MNS as part of the alliance.

Maharashtra

Demanding to convene a joint meeting regarding preparations for Eid-ul-Adha, MLA Abu Asim Azmi sends a letter to Devendra Fadnavis

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Mumbai: Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and demanded a joint meeting regarding the preparations for Eid-ul-Azha. He presented a formal letter to the Chief Minister at the Secretariat, requesting him to immediately convene an important meeting to review the state-level preparations. Drawing the Chief Minister’s attention, MLA Azmi informed him that Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated on May 27, 2026. He stressed the need to make timely and robust administrative arrangements as Eid-ul-Azha is approaching. He requested the Chief Minister to invite the relevant administrative authorities, religious leaders and religious organizations to resolve the issues related to Eid-ul-Adha and after listening to the problems faced by Muslims during Eid-ul-Adha, issue instructions to the administration to take necessary action in this regard. This meeting should be held soon under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister so that Muslims do not face any kind of difficulty during Eid-ul-Adha.

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Maharashtra

Survey of cleanliness work in the western suburbs of Mumbai… Continuous cleaning of roads is essential, Additional Municipal Commissioner directs

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The common citizens of Mumbai should take up the task of cleanliness so that they find the roads and streets clean after leaving their homes. There should be continuity in daily work to promote awareness regarding cleanliness and to create an effective image of the administration. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Dr. Vipin Sharma said that the cleaning of public roads and streets in Mumbai should be started as per the rules and on time. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Dr. Vipin Sharma personally visited the area this morning. The inspection visit included cleaning of Karar Nallah, Saptarshi Nallah, Shivaji Chowk Nallah in Malad (East) in P-East section, Piramal Nallah in Malad (West) in P-South section, Oshiwara River, Ramchandra Nallah in Malad (West) in P-West section, Ponla Hans, West Nallah, Ponla Hans section in P-West section. Although there is still time for the onset of monsoon, the Municipal Corporation is busy in preparations for the onset of monsoon. It should be ensured that the cleaning of drains is completed by May 31, 2026 in any case. Also, the garbage and sludge floating in the drains should be removed immediately. In this work, in coordination with the local public representatives, they should be informed about the cleaning of drains from time to time, Dr. Sharma directed the officers of the Municipal Corporation.

Chairman of ‘P East’ and ‘P West’ Divisional Committee Haider Ali Aslam Sheikh, Local Corporator Tejinder Singh Tiwana, Local Corporator Siddharth Sharma, Deputy Commissioner (Zone 4) Dr. Bhagya Sri Kapse, Assistant Commissioner (P East) Rupali Sarmalkar, Assistant Commissioner (P North) Kundan Valvi, Assistant Commissioner (P South) Aniruddha Kulkarni, Assistant Commissioner (K ​​West) Shri Chakrapani Ale and other concerned officers were present on the occasion.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: A case of sexual exploitation under the pretext of marriage has been registered against social media influencer Anwar Khan.

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Mumbai: A case has been registered against social media influencer Anwar Khan in Mumbai under the rape, assault and IT Act. He sexually abused the victim on the pretext of marriage. He sexually abused and cheated on the victim several times in Mumbai, Nagpur and UP from 2021 to 2026 but later refused to marry and also forced the victim to have an abortion. The police registered a case in this case on April 8. An FIR has been registered against social media influencer Anwar Khan, who is known for showcasing his lavish lifestyle online. The Sahar police station has registered an FIR No. 324 of 2026 under Section 67-A of the IT Act as well as Sections 89, 69, 115(2), 351(2) of the Bharatiya Naya Samhita, 2023. The complainant has alleged physical abuse, harassment and forcible sexual assault at multiple places. In a disturbing claim, she says she was threatened at gunpoint and given death threats. An FIR was registered as the accused is currently absconding, no arrests have been made yet. The police are investigating the matter further.

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