Ulhasnagar Election Result 2026: Shinde-Kalani Alliance Wins 32 Seats, BJP Second

The results for the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) Election 2026 are out, delivering a fractured yet decisive mandate in favor of the ruling Mahayuti partners. In a fierce “friendly fight” where the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena contested separately, the Shinde-Kalani alliance has emerged as the single largest bloc.

The counting of votes for the 78-member civic body took place on Friday, January 16, 2026. While no single party crossed the majority mark of 40 on its own, the combined strength of the Mahayuti (BJP + Shinde Sena) is well above the halfway mark, ensuring they will retain power. However, the role of the local Secular Alliance of India (SAI) Party has once again become critical.

Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation Result 2026: Final Seat Tally

The election was a direct battle for supremacy between the BJP and the Shinde Sena (backed by the powerful Omi Kalani team).

Here is the final breakdown of the 78 seats:

Party / Alliance	Seats Won
Shiv Sena (Shinde) + Team Omi Kalani	32
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)	28
SAI Party (Jeevan Idnani)	09
NCP (Sharad Pawar) / MVA	05
Congress	02
Others / Independents	02
Total Seats	78
Majority Mark Needed	40

Who Won the Battle?

• Single Largest Group: The Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), fortified by Team Omi Kalani (TOK), won the highest number of seats (32). The strategy to bring Omi Kalani into the Shinde fold proved successful in securing the crucial Sindhi votes.
• BJP’s Performance: The BJP, fighting independently, put up a strong show with 28 seats but failed to repeat its 2017 dominance where it was the single largest party.
• The Kingmaker: The SAI Party, led by Jeevan Idnani, won 9 seats. Since neither the Shinde faction nor the BJP crossed the majority mark of 40 individually, the SAI Party’s support (or a post-poll BJP-Sena alliance) will be key to forming the board.

Key Highlights of the Result

1. The “Kalani Factor” Still Rules

Ulhasnagar politics has historically revolved around the Kalani family. Omi Kalani, son of former MLA Pappu Kalani, shifted his allegiance to Eknath Shinde just before the polls. This move transferred his loyal vote bank to the “Bow and Arrow” symbol, allowing the Shinde faction to overtake the BJP in the city.

2. “Friendly Fight” Within Mahayuti

Unlike other cities where the Mahayuti fought unitedly, Ulhasnagar saw a bitter contest between allies. The local BJP leadership, led by MLA Kumar Ailani, refused to bow down to the Kalani family’s dominance, leading to separate contests. Now, the state leadership will have to intervene to bring both parties together to elect a Mayor.

3. Opposition Decimated

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)—comprising Congress, NCP (SP), and Shiv Sena (UBT)—failed to make any significant impact. The Congress was reduced to just 2 seats, while the Sharad Pawar-led NCP could only manage 5 seats, proving that the city’s politics remains polarized between the BJP and the Kalani-Sena faction.

Why This Election Matters

Ulhasnagar is a unique demographic mix with a dominant Sindhi population.

• Impact on MMR: This victory cements Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s hold over the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), adding Ulhasnagar to his victories in Thane and Kalyan-Dombivli.
• Future of BJP-Sena Relations: The local rivalry between BJP and Shinde Sena in Ulhasnagar will require careful handling by leaders Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde to ensure a stable corporation board.

What Happens Next?

With 78 seats in total, the majority mark is 40.

• Mayor Election: The Shiv Sena (Shinde) will likely claim the Mayor’s post as the single largest party.
• Alliance Formation: The BJP (28) and Shinde Sena (32) have a combined strength of 60. They are expected to form a post-poll alliance to rule the corporation comfortably, potentially keeping the SAI party out of power or including them for extra stability.

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