There was never much doubt that the Mahayuti alliance would emerge victorious in the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) elections. However, what surprised many political observers was not the win itself—but the sheer scale of Shiv Sena (Shinde faction)’s dominance over Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) in what has traditionally been considered Eknath Shinde’s political backyard.

The results have decisively settled one lingering question in Thane’s local politics: who truly represents the Shiv Sena here.

The Myth of SS(UBT)’s “Lone Seat”

Much has been made of the lone seat credited to Shiv Sena (UBT). But a closer look reveals that this win cannot genuinely be counted as a party victory. The seat was won by a rebel candidate who was denied a ticket by Shiv Sena (Shinde) and subsequently contested under the SS(UBT) banner.

In political terms, this is less a reflection of organizational strength and more an accidental outcome driven by local dynamics, rather than voter endorsement of the Uddhav faction.

How Deep Is Shinde Sena’s Victory?

The depth of Shiv Sena (Shinde)’s victory in the TMC elections is undeniable. Ward after ward, the message from voters was consistent and emphatic. That said, Eknath Shinde himself is likely aware that this landslide cannot be attributed to a single factor.

Even without an alliance, Shinde would almost certainly have emerged victorious in Thane. His grassroots connect, long-standing presence, and control over the local party machinery give him a natural advantage. However, the magnitude of this win would not have been possible without the BJP alliance.

BJP Factor: Crucial to the Landslide

Thane today is a demographically diverse city, with a significant population of non-Marathi voters. This section of the electorate traditionally aligns more comfortably with a nationalist, development-oriented party like the BJP.

The Mahayuti benefitted greatly from:

• The BJP’s strong urban voter base
  
  

• Its narrative of infrastructure-driven development
  
  

• High-visibility projects across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region
  
  

Even though several self-declared promises remain unfulfilled—and some projects like the Thane Metro have seen delayed delivery or symbolic inaugurations—the broader perception of momentum worked in Mahayuti’s favour.

Development Narrative vs Ground Reality

It’s important to note that the Mahayuti’s success does not imply that voters are blind to delays or shortcomings. Rather, the electorate appears to have chosen continuity and scale over uncertainty.

The promise of future infrastructure, better connectivity, and alignment with state and central governments outweighed dissatisfaction over unfinished projects.

The Final Word

The TMC election results are more than just a municipal verdict—they are a clear political signal. In Thane:

• Shiv Sena (Shinde) is firmly entrenched
  
  

• Shiv Sena (UBT) struggles for relevance
  
  

• The BJP remains an indispensable ally in urban Maharashtra
  
  

For now, the Mahayuti’s dominance in Thane is not just electoral—it is structural.

🔖 Hashtags 

#ThaneRising #ThanePolitics #TMCelections #Mahayuti #ShivSena #EknathShinde #BJP #ThaneCity #UrbanPolitics #MumbaiMetropolitanRegion #LocalElections #MaharashtraPolitics #ThaneNews

UNDER CONSTRUCTION COMING SOON