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.

Mumbai: State Election Commission, Maharashtra has announced a revised schedule for publication of polling station wise voter lists in connection with the Municipal Corporation General Elections 2025-26. The order states that the complete municipality wise voter list shall be published as soon as it is completed. Accordingly, Mumbai Municipal Corporation has received polling station wise voter lists of 226 out of 227 wards from the State Election Commission today, January 6, 2026. The said lists along with polling station wise voter photographs are available for sale at the concerned Central Election Offices from Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The Municipal Administration appeals to the citizens/political parties to purchase these voter lists from the concerned Central Election Offices.

Mumbai: Ahead of the Mumbai municipal elections, the migration of disgruntled party leaders to other parties has begun. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has suffered a major setback before the municipal elections. Several MNS leaders have joined Shiv Sena Shinde Sena. Along with this, Santosh Dhuri, a close associate of Raj Thackeray, joined the BJP. Even after this, the party change is not stopping and many senior MNS leaders have joined Shiv Sena Eknath Shinde and raised the flag of rebellion against the party. Before the BMC elections in Mumbai, Raj and Uddhav Thackeray had formed an electoral alliance, but the rebel leaders of these parties are still separating from the party, due to which there is a long series of rebellions in both the parties. Many leaders, unhappy with not getting tickets, are leaving their party and joining other parties. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena General Secretary Raja Bhau Chogle, MNS spokesperson Hemant Kamble, MNS Chhatrapati Sena General Secretary Rahul Topalonde, Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena Sandesh Shetty, Munawar Sheikh, Ashish Mark, Prathamesh Banerjee, Santosh Yadav joined Shiv Sena in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. On this occasion, Shinde welcomed all of them into the party and wished them well for their future. On this occasion, Shiv Sena General Secretary Rahul Shivale, Shiv Sena Secretary Sushant Shelar, Shiv Sena spokesperson Sheetal Mahatre and all local office bearers and workers of Shiv Sena were present.