Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday alleged that the outcome was heavily influenced by financial muscle, claiming that had his party enjoyed resources comparable to those of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Eknath Shinde-led camp, even the Chief Minister’s post would have been under threat following the results of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election results.
Speaking to the media, Raut said that nearly 60 sitting corporators from Shiv Sena (UBT) were “poached,” and around 90 per cent of them went on to lose the elections. Despite these setbacks, he pointed out that the Thackeray brothers together managed to secure 71 seats, which he described as a significant achievement.
Raut further claimed that without Eknath Shinde’s rebellion, the BJP would not have been able to install its mayor in the BMC.
According to the final results, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats, polling 11,79,273 votes—21.58 per cent of the total votes cast and 45.22 per cent of the votes secured by winning candidates. Shiv Sena (UBT) finished second with 65 seats and 7,17,736 votes (13.13 per cent vote share; 27.52 per cent of winning votes). The Shiv Sena won 29 seats with 2,73,326 votes, accounting for a 5 per cent vote share and 10.48 per cent of winning votes.
The Indian National Congress secured 24 seats with 2,42,646 votes (4.44 per cent vote share; 9.31 per cent of winning votes). The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen won 8 seats, while the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena secured 6. The Nationalist Congress Party won 3 seats, the Samajwadi Party 2 seats, and the Nationalist Congress Party–Sharadchandra Pawar faction 1 seat. In total, 227 corporators were elected, with winning candidates polling 26,07,612 votes, representing 47.72 per cent of the total votes cast.
Raut noted that the ruling Mahayuti alliance had secured only a slender majority of three seats. “At the same time, it is also true that the Opposition has 100 seats, and we will not allow anything wrong to happen to the people of Mumbai,” he said.
He further alleged that Shiv Sena (UBT) candidates lost in 12 to 16 wards by narrow margins ranging from 50 to 200 votes. Accusing the Shinde-led faction of aligning with corporate interests, Raut said, “Mumbaikars and the Marathi manoos will never forgive Shinde for waving the Adani Group flag in the city.”
Commenting on the Congress’ performance, Raut said the party’s electoral strategy was sound and reiterated the Opposition’s stance against what he termed the “corporatisation” of Mumbai. “We will make it clear to Mumbaikars that we will never allow the Adanistan of Mumbai,” he said.
Raut also asserted that the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) remain united and would continue to work together in the future.
