BMC Elections: Exit Polls Predict BJP Plus Dominance as Ink Controversy Sparks Political Storm in Mumbai
Maharashtra BMC Elections: Exit Polls Predict BJP Plus Lead Amid Ink Controversy: Mumbai witnessed high political drama on the day of voting for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the country’s most expensive civic body, as exit poll predictions of a BJP Plus sweep were overshadowed by a heated controversy over alleged removal of indelible ink.
Voting was held for a total of 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including 227 wards of the BMC. Around 1,700 candidates contested the BMC elections, comprising 822 men and 878 women. Counting of votes will take place on Friday morning.
According to Axis My India’s exit poll, the BJP Plus alliance is projected to emerge dominant, winning an estimated 131–151 seats. The UBT Plus is predicted to secure 58–68 seats, while Congress Plus may be restricted to 12–16 seats. Other parties are expected to win between 6 and 12 seats.
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However, the political temperature in Mumbai soared after serious allegations were raised by the Thackeray brothers. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray alleged that the indelible ink applied to voters’ fingers could be wiped off, urging people to remain vigilant and even return to vote again if the ink was removed.
Supporting him, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray termed the issue “serious” and alleged a nexus between the Election Commission and the ruling party. “Removal of ink is a grave matter,” he said.
The allegations triggered strong reactions from the ruling side. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissed the claims, stating that questioning constitutional institutions amounts to undermining democracy.
Meanwhile, Aditya Thackeray accused the BJP of “cheap politics” and alleged vote theft, sharing images of a BJP office where a finger cleaner was purportedly being used to erase ink. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also shared a video allegedly showing a voter using chemicals to remove ink, calling it a “slaughterhouse of democracy.”
Amid growing controversy, the Maharashtra State Election Commission intervened. State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare clarified that the ink used is indelible and supplied by the Election Commission of India. He said the ink, used in marker pens since 2011, cannot be erased and dries within 10–12 minutes, during which voters remain inside the polling station.
Calling the allegations misleading, Waghmare said the matter is being investigated but appealed to voters not to attempt to remove the ink or spread doubts about the electoral process.
As Maharashtra awaits the final verdict on Friday, the BMC elections have once again highlighted both the high political stakes involved and the intense rivalry shaping the state’s civic politics.
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