Archive · 25 Dec 2025
Bhiwandi Prepares for 2026 Municipal Elections
Bhiwandi, a city in Maharashtra, India, is getting ready for its municipal elections in January 2026.
This is a big deal because the mayor's position has been empty for three years.
The city has been run by a municipal commissioner instead of an elected mayor.
The upcoming elections will decide who gets to be the new mayor.
In the past, political parties have made alliances and there have been some rebellions within parties that changed who was in power.
The elections are important because they will bring back elected leaders to make decisions for the city.
Bhiwandi-Nizampur City Municipal Corporation (BNCMC) prepares for municipal elections on January 15, 2026.
Mayor's chair has been vacant since June 2022, with the civic body run by a municipal commissioner.
Political alliances and rebellions have significantly impacted past mayoral elections.
Congress won a majority in the 2017 elections but supported Shiv Sena for the mayoral post.
Rebellion within Congress led to a shift in power, with 18 corporators defying the party whip.
- Who
- Bhiwandi-Nizampur City Municipal Corporation (BNCMC) and political parties
- What
- Preparation for the 2026 municipal elections and the return of an elected mayor after a three-year vacancy
- When
- Elections scheduled for January 15, 2026
- Where
- Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, India
- Why
- To fill the mayor's chair that has been vacant since June 2022 and to restore elected governance after administrator rule
Political Alliances
Rebellion and Shifts
Political Alliances
Political Alliances
Political parties form alliances to support mayoral candidates, as seen with Congress supporting Shiv Sena in 2017.
Rebellion and Shifts
Rebellion within parties, such as 18 Congress corporators defying the party whip, leading to shifts in power dynamics.
- Election Date
- January 15, 2026
- Mayor's Chair Vacancy
- Three years (since June 2022)
- Previous Mayor
- Pratibha Patil
- Current Civic Body Head
- Municipal Commissioner as Administrator
- Congress Seats in 2017
- 47 out of 90
- Rebel Congress Corporators
- 18
Sources
VVMC Elections 2026: Media Certification Panel Formed, Prior Approval Mandatory For All Political Advertisements
'Media Blackout After Campaign Ends': Maharashtra State Election Commission On Jan 15 Civic Polls
