The results for the highly anticipated Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) Election 2026 have been declared, bringing a dramatic twist to the politics of Western Maharashtra. While the Congress party, led by Satej Patil, put up a fierce fight to emerge as the single largest party, the ruling Mahayuti alliance (BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP) has successfully crossed the majority mark to claim power in the civic body.
The counting of votes for the 81-member civic body took place on Friday, January 16, 2026. The results are seen as a major morale booster for the Mahayuti government ahead of other upcoming local body polls in the state.
Kolhapur Election Result 2026: The Final Tally
The contest was a direct battle between the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)—primarily led by Congress—and the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Here is the final seat breakdown for the 81 wards:
| Party / Alliance | Seats Won |
| Congress (INC) | 34 |
| Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 26 |
| Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) | 15 |
| NCP (Ajit Pawar) | 04 |
| Shiv Sena (UBT) | 01 |
| Others / Independents | 01 |
| Total Seats | 81 |
| Majority Mark Needed | 41 |
Who Won the Battle?
- Single Largest Party: Congress won the highest number of individual seats (34), showing its strong grassroots connection in Kolhapur city.
- Winning Alliance: The Mahayuti (BJP + Shiv Sena + NCP) combined won 45 seats, comfortably crossing the magic figure of 41 needed to elect the Mayor.
Key Highlights of the Result
1. Mahayuti’s Strategic Victory
Despite Congress performing exceptionally well individually, the unity of the BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP proved effective. The BJP’s tally of 26 seats, combined with the Shiv Sena’s 15, ensured they snatched power from the Congress-led front.
2. Setback for Satej Patil
Congress leader and former minister Satej (Bunty) Patil led the campaign aggressively. Under his leadership, Congress improved its strike rate and became the number one party. However, failing to get the MVA partners (like Shiv Sena UBT) to win enough seats cost them the corporation. The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) managed to win only 1 seat, which hurt the opposition’s chances of forming the board.
3. Dhananjay Mahadik & Hasan Mushrif’s Role
For the Mahayuti, Rajya Sabha MP Dhananjay Mahadik (BJP) and Minister Hasan Mushrif (NCP) played key roles. Their strategy to consolidate votes in specific wards helped the alliance secure the critical number of 45 seats.
Why This Election Matters for Maharashtra
Kolhapur has traditionally been a bastion of the Congress and NCP. The BJP making such deep inroads and capturing power in the municipal corporation is a significant shift.
- Trendsetter: This victory sets a positive tone for the ruling government for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other civic polls in 2026.
- Western Maharashtra Hold: It signals that the Mahayuti is gaining strength in Western Maharashtra, a region that was once considered a fortress of the opposition.
What Happens Next?
With 45 seats in their kitty, the Mahayuti alliance will now move to elect the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
- Mayor Election: The alliance leaders will meet soon to decide on the Mayoral candidate. Given the numbers, the post is likely to be shared between the BJP and Shiv Sena on a rotational basis.
- Opposition Role: Congress, with 34 corporators, will sit as a strong opposition in the house.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who won the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation Election 2026?
The Mahayuti Alliance (BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP) won the election by securing a combined total of 45 seats out of 81.
2. Which party won the most seats individually?
The Congress party emerged as the single largest party, winning 34 seats. However, they fell short of the majority mark (41) as an alliance.
3. How many seats did BJP win in Kolhapur?
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 26 seats.
4. Who is the leader of Congress in Kolhapur?
Satej Patil is the key leader of the Congress party in Kolhapur who led the campaign.
5. What is the majority mark in Kolhapur Municipal Corporation?
To form the board and elect a Mayor, a party or alliance needs 41 seats in the 81-member house.