Mahayuti dominates Maharashtra MLC polls, wins 16 of 17 seats

The ruling Mahayuti alliance registered a sweeping victory in the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) elections, securing 16 of the 17 seats that went to polls across the state. The results further strengthen the BJP-led coalition's hold over Maharashtra politics.

Several Mahayuti candidates had already been elected unopposed before polling, giving the alliance a significant head start. In the remaining contests, the coalition maintained its dominance, leaving the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) with just one seat.

The only setback for Mahayuti came in Nashik, where BJP rebel candidate Gokul Gite defeated the alliance-backed Shiv Sena nominee Narendra Darade, highlighting pockets of internal dissent despite the coalition's overall success.

The outcome is being seen as a major boost for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Mahayuti leadership ahead of upcoming local body elections, while raising fresh concerns for the opposition over its organizational strength and electoral strategy.