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BMC Elections 2026: Shiv Sena sees surge in women aspirants; 2,700+ hopefuls interviewed for Mumbai polls
- by Webdesk
- 18 Dec 2025
Source: Mid Day
The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has witnessed an unprecedented response from aspirants, particularly women, for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Elections 2026. According to the party, more than 2,700 candidates have already been interviewed for 227 municipal wards across Mumbai, marking a record level of interest in contesting the civic polls on the Shiv Sena ticket. This information was shared by the party on Thursday, highlighting the strong enthusiasm among aspirants ahead of the crucial elections.
In an official statement, the party said that the interviews were conducted at Rangsharda in Mumbai and were organised constituency-wise, in line with the city’s Lok Sabha constituencies. This structured approach was adopted to ensure a fair and thorough evaluation process, enabling the party leadership to identify the most capable and suitable candidates for each ward. Shiv Sena leader Rahul Shewale addressed the media at a press conference in Mumbai, where he detailed the scale and significance of the interview process. Party secretary Sanjay More and deputy leader Sheetal Mhatre were also present during the briefing.
Rahul Shewale attributed the overwhelming response from aspirants to the developmental work carried out by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during his two-and-a-half-year tenure as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister. He said that the projects implemented across Mumbai and other parts of the state have strengthened public confidence in the party and its leadership. According to Shewale, this positive perception has translated into a strong desire among aspirants to contest the BMC elections under the Shiv Sena banner.
Shewale further stated that the party’s interview programme has received an unmatched response when compared to other political parties. He noted that many aspirants believe they have a strong chance of winning due to Eknath Shinde’s influence and the work delivered by the Shiv Sena in Mumbai. This confidence, he said, reflects the trust people have in the party’s leadership and governance model.
A significant aspect of this year’s response has been the growing participation of women in the candidate selection process. While the party did not reveal the exact number of women aspirants, it confirmed that there has been a noticeable increase in women stepping forward to contest the municipal elections. This trend, according to the official statement, indicates a rising focus on women’s representation in local self-governance and civic administration. The party sees this as a positive sign for inclusive leadership and balanced decision-making at the municipal level.
The Shiv Sena has made it clear that it will contest the BMC elections as part of the Mahayuti alliance. The party aims to secure a clear majority in the civic body and continue its development-oriented agenda for Mumbai. Party leaders believe that the alliance, combined with the strong groundwork laid in recent years, will help them strengthen their position in the country’s richest municipal corporation.
Adding to the competitive nature of the selection process, aspirants from other political parties, including the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), also appeared for the interviews. This development highlights the intense political competition surrounding the BMC elections and the perceived strength of the Shiv Sena as a platform for contesting the polls. The party acknowledged this diversity of aspirants as an indication of its growing appeal across political lines.
To ensure transparency and fairness in the selection of candidates, Shiv Sena has appointed three observers to oversee the interview and screening process. The party said this step was taken to maintain credibility and to ensure that merit, local connect, and organisational capability remain the key criteria for candidate selection. The observers are expected to play a crucial role in maintaining discipline and neutrality throughout the process.
Reiterating the party’s confidence, the statement quoted leaders as saying that Eknath Shinde’s tenure as Chief Minister has left a lasting impact due to the scale and visibility of development work carried out across Maharashtra and Mumbai. This, they believe, has strengthened the party’s position ahead of the civic polls. The leadership expressed confidence that, driven by Shinde’s influence and the party’s performance record, Shiv Sena is well placed to achieve success in the upcoming BMC elections.
Overall, the record-breaking response from aspirants, the increased participation of women, and the structured, transparent selection process underline Shiv Sena’s strong preparation for the 2026 BMC elections. The party views this momentum as a reflection of public trust and organisational strength as it gears up for one of Mumbai’s most closely watched political contests.
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