Mumbai:
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its first list of candidates for the upcoming 2026 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, announcing 97 nominees who have been issued AB-forms to contest the civic polls. The list reflects the party’s strategy of balancing experienced corporators with new and first-time candidates as it prepares for one of India’s most high-profile municipal elections.
According to reports based on the Marathi ABP Live (ABP Majha) article and other verified news sources, the candidate list features a mix of sitting corporators, grassroots leaders, and prominent local faces. The BJP appears focused on strengthening its organisational presence across key wards of Mumbai, especially in politically sensitive and high-density areas.
One of the most significant inclusions in the list is Ravi Raja, former Leader of the Opposition in the BMC, who recently switched from the Congress to the BJP. Raja will contest from Ward 185 (Dharavi), considered a crucial and symbolically important seat given Dharavi’s redevelopment plans and its dense voter base. His candidature is being seen as a strategic move by the BJP to consolidate support in central Mumbai.
The announcement comes alongside confirmation of the seat-sharing agreement within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Under the arrangement between the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the 227 wards of the BMC have been divided, with the BJP contesting 137 wards and Shiv Sena contesting 90 wards. The agreement is aimed at avoiding vote division and presenting a united front against opposition parties in the country’s richest civic body.
Notable BJP Candidates
Among the prominent names in the BJP’s list are:
Tejasvee Ghosalkar – Ward 2
Ganesh Khankar – Ward 7
Manisha Yadav – Ward 31
Milind Shinde – Ward 85
Neil Somaiya – Ward 107
Rakhi Jadhav – Ward 131
In addition, Navnath Ban has been reported among early BJP candidates in some lists, indicating that further announcements and adjustments may follow as the election process advances.
Election Schedule
The State Election Commission has laid out the following timeline for the BMC elections:
Nomination filing: Until 30 December 2025
Final candidate list and symbol allotment: By 3 January 2026
Voting day: 15 January 2026
Counting of votes: 16 January 2026
With the release of this first candidate list, the BJP has formally kick-started its campaign for the 2026 BMC elections. Political observers expect the remaining candidates to be announced soon, followed by intensified campaigning across Mumbai, as parties gear up for a closely watched contest that will determine control of the civic body for the next five years.
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