Mumbai | December 1, 2025:
As Maharashtra heads into a crucial phase of local body elections on December 2—covering 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats—the political landscape in Mumbai’s Sion-Koliwada region has undergone a dramatic transformation. With the State Election Commission expected to announce BMC poll dates any moment, political parties, former corporators, and MLAs have begun shaping their strategies.
Political analysts predict a fierce triangular contest, with the dynamics significantly altered by shifting loyalties and new alliances.
A Look Back: Tight Contest in 2012 & 2017
In both 2012 and 2017, Sion-Koliwada witnessed intense competition among Shiv Sena, Congress, and BJP.
The 2017 results were:
- Shiv Sena – 3 seats
- Congress – 3 seats
- BJP – 2 seats
Despite BJP MLA Captain R. Tamil Selvan holding the assembly seat for a decade, the outcome of the 2026 BMC polls remains unpredictable.
Eight Key Wards
The Sion-Koliwada Assembly segment includes 8 BMC wards:
172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 179, 180 and 181.
In 2017:
- Shiv Sena won 3 wards
- Congress also won 3 wards
- BJP bagged 2 wards
Major Shift: Veteran Leader Ravi Raja Joins BJP
A significant realignment has occurred with senior Congress leader and multiple-term corporator Ravi Raja (Ward 176) switching to the BJP. This has strengthened the BJP’s footing while inflicting a substantial setback on the Congress.
However, Ward 176 now falls under the reservation category, which may influence candidate selection and voter behaviour.
Thackeray Brothers Eye Marathi Voters
The unexpected coming together of Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray has added a new twist. Analysts suggest that the substantial Marathi-speaking voter base in Sion-Koliwada—about 24%—may consolidate in their favour if the unity holds.
A unified Marathi vote could tilt all wards towards the Thackeray brothers.
Impact of Shiv Sena–NCP Split
Both Shiv Sena and NCP are now divided into two factions each. Meanwhile, the BJP—once a junior partner in BMC politics—has emerged stronger due to its alliances with the Ajit Pawar–led NCP and the Shinde faction of Shiv Sena.
On the other hand, the growing proximity between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray has made the contest even more interesting.
According to current political indicators, the battle is shaping up as:
BJP vs. Thackeray Brothers
The Congress, which secured the second-highest vote share in the recent Assembly elections, may play the role of kingmaker in this region.
Demographic Breakdown of Sion-Koliwada
Total voters: 2.83 lakh
- Marathi voters: ~24%
- North Indian voters: ~22%
- Muslim voters: ~17%
- South Indian community: ~12%
- Sikh community: ~10%
The diverse demographic mix ensures that every vote block becomes crucial in determining outcomes across wards.
2017 Ward-Wise Results Snapshot
Ward 172
- Winner: Rajeshree Rajesh Shirwadkar (BJP) – 13,731
- Runner-up: Upendra Pitambardas Doshi (INC) – 3,875
- Third: Prakash Dhodhu Waghadhare (Shiv Sena) – 3,778
Ward 173
- Winner: Pralhad Abba Thombre (Shiv Sena) – 6,492
- Runner-up: Vijay Shantaram Pagare (BJP) – 2,985
- Third: Sunil Balkrishna Shetye (Shiv Sena) – 2,190
Ward 174
- Winner: Krishnaveni Vinod Reddy (BJP) – 2,300
- Runner-up: Neelam Dilip Dubey (NCP) – 2,112
- Third: Khurshida Imran Khan (AIMIM) – 1,953
Ward 175
- Winner: Mangesh Shridhar Satamkar (Shiv Sena) – 6,096
- Runner-up: Lalita Kachru Yadav (INC) – 5,619
- Third: Lorrick Ramchet Yadav (BJP) – 4,867
Ward 176
- Winner: Ravi Kondu Raja (INC) – 3,814
- Runner-up: Gajanan Padmakar Patil (Shiv Sena) – 3,678
- Third: Murugan Antaram Ramaiyya R. (BJP) – 3,495
Ward 179
- Winner: Sufiyan Niyaz Ahmed Vanu (INC) – 5,630
- Runner-up: Trishna Chandrakant Vishwasrao (Shiv Sena) – 5,503
- Third: Arif Abdussalam Sayed (NCP) – 2,857
Ward 180
- Winner: Smita Sharad Gaonkar (Shiv Sena) – 8,625
- Runner-up: Vaishali Krishna Pawar (INC) – 5,584
- Third: Biddu Vinod Kumar Yadav (BJP) – 3,748
Ward 181
- Winner: Pushpa Krishna Koli (INC) – 5,723
- Runner-up: Madhuri Manohar Dhoke (Shiv Sena) – 3,536
- Third: Meena Francis Ingle (Independent) – 2,418
Discover more from SD NEWS agency
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.