Thane civic polls result 2026 highlights: Shiv Sena takes lead as counting begins in high-voltage contest

Vote counting for the Thane Municipal Corporation elections began on Friday, with results expected later in the day. The outcome is being closely tracked, given the high political stakes involved in the Thane civic battle.

Early Trends: Shiv Sena Takes the Lead
Shiv Sena takes lead with BJP following in second place.


First Civic Test for Sena (UBT)–MNS Alliance
This is Thane’s first municipal election contested under the Shiv Sena (UBT)–Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) alliance, bringing cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray together against the Mahayuti alliance. The ruling coalition is being led locally by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

The contest centres on more than a dozen crucial seats, including areas traditionally considered strongholds of the undivided Shiv Sena.

Clash Reported in Manpada During Polling
Polling day witnessed tension in parts of Thane. A clash broke out on Thursday evening in the Manpada area, prompting police intervention. The incident occurred in ward number 3 following a confrontation between supporters of former mayor Meenakshi Shinde, the official Shiv Sena candidate, and Bhushan Bhoir, an Independent candidate and Sena rebel.

Why Thane Matters Politically
The result in Thane holds symbolic and political significance for all sides. Thane was the city where the undivided Shiv Sena first came to power, making it a prestige battle for both camps.

Earlier this week, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray jointly campaigned in Thane, urging voters to oppose what they described as the Mahayuti’s effort—led largely by the BJP—to marginalise the Marathi manoos in Maharashtra.

Voting Percentage in Thane
According to the State Election Commission (SEC), Thane recorded a voter turnout of 43.96 per cent till 3:30 pm. The overall polling percentage across Maharashtra remained below 50 per cent, officials said.

What Happened in 2017?
The previous civic elections were held in 2017, when the then-united Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) contested separately despite being allies in the state government. The Shiv Sena emerged victorious, winning 67 of the 131 seats and forming the municipal corporation on its own. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) secured 34 seats, while the BJP finished third with 23 seats.

As counting continues, Thane is shaping up to be one of the most decisive battlegrounds in Maharashtra’s civic election season.