Richa Pinto
Mumbai: The election of 79 winners in this year’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections – representing 34% of the 227-member civic house – has been challenged in court by their rivals. Among the challengers are former BMC corporators, the daughter of a sitting Shiv Sena MP, and a former BJP party leader in the civic body. While one of the election petitions has already been dismissed by a court, the remaining 78 are still under consideration.
Background of the BMC Elections
The BMC elections were held in January 2026, resulting in the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance forming the government. The challenges to the election results are based on various grounds, including alleged undisclosed First Information Reports (FIRs), lack of validity of caste certificates, and discrepancies in address proofs submitted by candidates.
Notable Challengers and Petitioners
Among the former BMC corporators who have questioned the election outcomes are BJP’s Vinod Mishra, who previously served as the party group leader in the BMC; Congress’ Sheetal Mhatre, who won the civic polls in 2012; and Shiv Sena members Rajul Patel, Sanjay Nana Ambole, and Raju Pednekar. Additionally, Deepti Waikar Potnis, daughter of Shiv Sena’s Mumbai North West MP Ravindra Waikar, and Priya Sarvankar Gurav, daughter of former Shinde Sena MLA Sada Sarvankar, have also filed petitions. Priya Sarvankar Gurav contested against Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Vishakha Raut and lost.
RTI Reveals Legal Challenges
Information about these legal challenges was provided by the BMC’s legal department to RTI activist Anil Galgali under the Right to Information Act. Galgali had filed an application on May 12, seeking detailed information regarding election petitions filed against those elected as corporators in the January 2026 municipal elections. “The election of as many as 79 corporators has been challenged. One petition has been dismissed by the lower court, while hearings in the remaining cases are ongoing,” said Galgali, based on the information he received.
Dismissed Petition
The election petition that was dismissed by the court had been filed by Mohammad Anwar Abdullah Shaikh from ward 119 ‘S’ against Shiv Sena corporator Rajesh Sonawale and other candidates.
Narrow Margin Case
Jyoti Anil Upadhyay, the BJP candidate who contested from ward 90 and lost by just seven votes to Congress candidate Tulip Miranda – the narrowest margin in this year’s polls – has also challenged the result. Tulip Miranda is currently a member of the civic standing committee. Her husband, Brian Miranda, had won the seat in 2012, and Tulip won from the ward for the first time in 2017, when the seat was reserved for a woman candidate.
Implications and Observations
Galgali noted that the issue of validity of caste certificates has previously caused problems for sitting corporators, with some being disqualified just a few months after being elected. “The court hearings will be carefully watched,” he said.
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About the Author
Richa Pinto is a special correspondent with The Times of India. She covers urban governance and climate change issues. With over a decade of experience in field reporting, she has written extensively on various civic issues affecting Mumbaikars. She graduated in journalism from the prestigious Mumbai-based St Xavier's College and later pursued a three-year Law degree (L.L.B.) with the University of Mumbai. She regularly tweets about all things that matter to Mumbai on @richapintoi.
