Maharashtra Set To Get 26 New MLCs As Election Process Likely To Begin Soon
Maharashtra Set To Get 26 New MLCs As Election Process Likely To Begin Soon
Mumbai, April 16, 2026: Maharashtra’s political landscape is set for another major shake-up as the state prepares for upcoming Legislative Council (MLC) elections. The countdown for the polls has effectively begun, with the possibility of elections being announced in the coming days. A total of 26 new Members of the Legislative Council are expected to be elected.
The elections will be held to fill vacant seats in the Legislative Council. Of the 26 seats, nine will be elected by members of the Legislative Assembly, while 17 seats vacant for a long period belong to local self-government constituencies.
The term of nine sitting MLCs is set to end on May 13, 2026. Prominent leaders whose tenure will conclude include former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe, Amol Mitkari, Shashikant Shinde, and Rajesh Rathod. Based on the current strength in the Assembly, the BJP is expected to secure around five seats, while Shiv Sena may win two, and the NCP and Maha Vikas Aghadi could get one seat each. However, with surplus votes and the possibility of additional candidates, a closely contested election is likely rather than an unopposed outcome.
Meanwhile, the long-pending 17 seats from local self-government bodies may finally see elections after a gap of nearly two and a half years. These seats remained vacant due to delays in local body elections, including municipal corporations and zilla parishads. The Election Commission is now preparing to proceed under a revised rule requiring at least 75% of the electorate.
Key constituencies likely to go to polls include Solapur, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Thane, Jalgaon, Sangli-Satara, Nanded, Yavatmal, and several others across the state.
Political parties have already begun strategizing for the elections, which are expected to be announced next week. While the ruling alliance aims to retain its dominance, the opposition bloc is working to maximize its gains. Regions such as Konkan, Western Maharashtra, and Vidarbha are expected to witness intense electoral battles.
Overall, the upcoming MLC elections are likely to significantly influence political equations in Maharashtra in the coming months.
