AIMIM Surges in Mumbai BMC Elections: Has Asaduddin Owaisi Become the New ‘Messiah’ for Muslims?

Mumbai, Maharashtra: The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), led by Asaduddin Owaisi, has made a notable mark in the 2026 Mumbai BMC elections, sparking widespread discussion about the changing political landscape. While the party performed strongly in several pockets across Maharashtra, its impact was particularly felt in Mumbai and the MMR region, raising questions about the waning influence of the Samajwadi Party (SP).

AIMIM Outperforms SP in Mumbai
AIMIM secured 126 seats across the state in the BMC and 29 municipal elections, signaling a major rise in its influence. In contrast, the Samajwadi Party, which had entered Mumbai in the early 1990s following the communal riots, saw its presence shrink to just two seats. Back then, SP had captured the Muslim vote, emerging as the community’s preferred political choice. However, in 2026, the party’s support appears to have significantly weakened.

Shifting Political Dynamics Among Muslim Voters
Following the election results, political analysts have begun speculating whether Muslim voters in Mumbai are shifting away from SP. Telangana-based AIMIM seems poised to challenge SP’s decades-long influence in the city. The party secured eight seats, including one non-Muslim candidate, Vijay Ubale, who was appointed as AIMIM’s leader in the BMC. Notably, AIMIM made significant inroads in the Govandi area, historically an SP stronghold, winning seven seats there.

IUML’s Past Role and Current SP Challenges
Previously, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) had acted as a kingmaker in Mumbai, helping select mayors like Manohar Joshi. However, IUML’s influence declined after the Babri Masjid demolition and subsequent riots. Analysts note that internal conflicts within SP Maharashtra, particularly between state president Abu Asim Azmi and leader Rais Shaikh, further contributed to the party’s decline.

Muslims Still Lean Toward Secular Parties
Senior Urdu journalist Syed Hamid told Free Press Journal that while AIMIM’s victories are notable, the bigger story lies in the broader Muslim voting pattern. Out of 30 Muslim corporators elected, only seven are from AIMIM; the remaining 23 are affiliated with Congress, Shiv Sena, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP, and SP. This suggests that Muslim voters are still supporting secular parties, even as AIMIM emerges as a new political force.

AIMIM Leadership and Key Figures
AIMIM’s Maharashtra leaders include Imtiaz Shaikh and Waris Pathan. Notably, Sahar Shaikh, who won from Mumbra, contested on an AIMIM ticket. The results indicate that while AIMIM is expanding its footprint, the Muslim electorate continues to exercise diverse political preferences.