Nanded Election Result 2026: BJP Sweeps Congress Bastion, AIMIM Second

The political landscape of Marathwada has witnessed a seismic shift. The Nanded-Waghala Municipal Corporation (NWMC) Election 2026 results have been declared, delivering a landslide victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In a historic turnaround, the BJP has breached the traditional fortress of the Congress party, securing a clear majority on its own.

The results, declared on Friday, January 16, 2026, mark the end of Congress’s dominance in Nanded, the home turf of former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan. While the BJP celebrated a “saffron sweep,” the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) surprised many by emerging as the second-largest party, pushing Congress to a distant third.

Nanded Municipal Corporation Result 2026: Final Seat Tally

The contest for the 81-member civic body was fierce, but the final numbers show a one-sided mandate. The BJP crossed the magic figure of 41 comfortably.

Read more: Election Commission

Here is the final party-wise breakdown of the 81 seats:

Party	Seats Won
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)	45
AIMIM	15
Congress (INC)	10
Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA)	05
Shiv Sena (Shinde Faction)	04
NCP (Ajit Pawar)	01
Independents / Others	01
Total Seats	81
Majority Mark Needed	41

Who Won the Battle?

• Clear Winner: The BJP won 45 seats, ensuring it can elect its own Mayor without needing support from any other party.
• Major Loser: The Congress, which had won a staggering 73 out of 81 seats in the 2017 elections, collapsed to just 10 seats this time.
• The Surprise: AIMIM capitalized on the anti-incumbency and split in secular votes, winning 15 seats and becoming the primary opposition force in the corporation.

Key Highlights of the Result

1. The Ashok Chavan Factor

This election was seen as a litmus test for Ashok Chavan, the veteran leader who recently switched from Congress to BJP. The result proves that his grip on Nanded remains firm, regardless of the party symbol. His ability to transfer his traditional vote bank to the BJP was the deciding factor in this massive victory.

2. AIMIM’s Rise in Nanded

The rise of AIMIM is a significant development. By securing the second position, the party has consolidated its base among minority voters who may have felt alienated by the Congress’s weakening structure. This splits the traditional “secular” vote bank that Congress relied upon for decades.

3. Mahayuti’s Dominance

While the BJP won the majority on its own, its Mahayuti allies also picked up seats. The Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) won 4 seats and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) won 1. Collectively, the ruling alliance has completely routed the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in this region.

Why This Election Matters

Nanded has been a Congress bastion since the municipal corporation was formed.

• Historical Context: In 2017, despite a BJP wave across Maharashtra, Nanded had voted overwhelmingly for Congress under Ashok Chavan’s leadership.
• 2026 Reversal: The 2026 result signals that without a strong local face, the Congress organization in Marathwada is crumbling. It also sets the tone for upcoming state assembly elections, showing that the BJP has successfully expanded its footprint into difficult territories.

What Happens Next?

With 45 seats in hand, the BJP will now move to form the body.

• Mayoral Election: The BJP will soon nominate its candidate for the Mayor’s post. Given their absolute majority, the election will be a formality.
• Development Focus: The new board is expected to focus on aligning city infrastructure projects with state and central government funding, a key promise made during the campaign.

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