IN A significant shift in Maharashtra’s urban political landscape, the Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has registered a powerful performance in the 2026 Municipal Corporation elections. According to the latest data, the party has successfully elected 95 corporators across 13 municipal bodies in the State, marking its strongest-ever presence in Maharashtra’s local self-governing bodies. AIMIM has posed a serious challenge to the Samajwadi Party in Mumbai and the rest of Maharashtra through its gains. The party hopes to increase its presence across the State ahead of Assembly elections slated for 2029. Further, the Congress party will have to step up efforts to regain its fast-depleting support from Muslims and minorities, especially in the wake of AIMIM’s consolidation. AIMIM has significantly expanded its footprint beyond its traditional strongholds, successfully challenging established players in several key regions.

 

The “strong push” mentioned by analysts suggests that AIMIM has consolidated its vote share in Marathwada and Western Maharashtra, particularly. In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, which has been AIMIM’s stronghold, it has secured the highest concentration of its corporators, defeating the Shiv Sena factions. Early results indicate that AIMIM has also made inroads into the BMC and Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), picking up crucial seats in minority-dominated pockets where they displaced traditional Congress and NCP (Sharad Pawar) candidates. The party has made significant gains also in Solapur and Dhule.

 

In Mumbai, the party has improved upon its 2017 performance (where it held 2 seats), aiming to play a vocal role in the Opposition benches of the BMC. AIMIM leader Khairunisa Akbar Husain, who won from Ward No 145 in Mumbai, said, “The victory is of the people, not mine alone... We will work on all the issues that we had raised.” Political observers note that the AIMIM’s strategy focused on local infrastructure and representation issues rather than just national rhetoric. By winning 95 seats, the party has positioned itself as a “kingmaker” in several smaller municipal councils where no single alliance has reached a clear majority.