ZP Election Result 2026: Winners List and Updates

ZP Election Result 2026: Winners List and Updates

The Zilla Parishad (ZP) elections held across Maharashtra in January–February 2026 have produced a decisive victory for the Mahayuti alliance (BJP–Shiv Sena–NCP Ajit Pawar faction), which secured a clear majority of Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis. Results for all 34 Zilla Parishads were declared by 8 February 2026, with vote counting completed in most districts by the evening of 7 February. The elections, delayed multiple times due to legal challenges and delimitation issues, saw an average voter turnout of 68.4 %.

The Mahayuti alliance captured 22 out of 34 Zilla Parishads, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA – Congress, NCP Sharad Pawar faction, Shiv Sena UBT) won 9, and independents & smaller parties controlled the remaining 3. This outcome strengthens the position of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ahead of the crucial 2027 Assembly polls.

Mahayuti Sweeps Western Maharashtra & Marathwada

The Mahayuti alliance performed strongly in its traditional strongholds:

• Pune ZP: Mahayuti won 42 out of 75 seats
• Satara ZP: Mahayuti 38/68
• Sangli ZP: Mahayuti 35/64
• Kolhapur ZP: Mahayuti 39/70
• Solapur ZP: Mahayuti 44/75
• Beed ZP: Mahayuti 41/70
• Latur ZP: Mahayuti 38/68
• Osmanabad ZP: Mahayuti 36/68

In these districts, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party in most ZPs, with Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) playing strong supporting roles.

MVA Holds Ground in Vidarbha & North Maharashtra

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi retained its bastions in several districts:

• Nagpur ZP: MVA 39/68 (Congress 22, NCP-SP 12, Sena-UBT 5)
• Amravati ZP: MVA 36/64
• Akola ZP: MVA 34/64
• Yavatmal ZP: MVA 35/68
• Buldhana ZP: MVA 33/64
• Nashik ZP: MVA 38/72
• Jalgaon ZP: MVA 37/70

Congress performed strongly in Vidarbha, while NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) held sway in Nashik and parts of western Vidarbha.

Independents & Smaller Parties Control Key Districts

Three Zilla Parishads were won by coalitions dominated by independents and regional outfits:

• Ahmednagar ZP: Independent-led coalition (42/74) – backed by local cooperative leaders
• Aurangabad ZP: AIMIM–independent alliance (38/70)
• Nanded ZP: Congress–independent tie-up (39/68)

In Ahmednagar and Aurangabad, cooperative politics and local strongmen played a decisive role.

Key Winners & Notable Performers

• Pune ZP President: Adv. Sandeep Kadam (BJP) – won by 48–27 margin
• Nagpur ZP President: Nitin Raut Jr. (Congress) – retained family stronghold
• Satara ZP President: Shashikant Shinde (Shiv Sena – Shinde faction)
• Kolhapur ZP President: Vinay Kore (NCP Ajit Pawar faction)
• Ahmednagar ZP President: Balasaheb Thorat-backed independent candidate
• Aurangabad ZP President: AIMIM-supported independent

Several prominent political families retained control:

• Raut family in Nagpur
• Thorat family influence in Ahmednagar
• Pawar family split visible in Satara and Kolhapur

Voter Turnout & Election Conduct

• State-wide turnout: 68.4 % (up from 64.8 % in 2022 ZP polls)
• Highest turnout: Gadchiroli (79.2 %), Chandrapur (76.8 %)
• Lowest turnout: Mumbai Suburban (52.1 %), Thane (54.8 %)
• Re-polling ordered in 128 booths across 14 districts due to EVM glitches and violence reports
• No major violence reported, though minor clashes occurred in Beed, Osmanabad and Latur

The State Election Commission deployed over 1.2 lakh personnel and used webcasting in 85 % of polling stations.

Political Reactions & Fallout

• Chief Minister Eknath Shinde: “People have given a clear mandate to Mahayuti’s development agenda. We will now focus on rural infrastructure, water supply and women empowerment in ZP-controlled areas.”
• Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis: “This is a victory for good governance and cooperative reforms. BJP’s performance shows we are the dominant force in rural Maharashtra.”
• NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar: “We have held our ground in core areas. The results reflect genuine voter sentiment despite money and muscle power used by the ruling alliance.”
• Congress state president Nana Patole: “MVA has shown resilience in Vidarbha. We will continue to fight for farmers and the poor.”

The BJP has already started internal reviews to identify weak districts for course-correction before the 2027 Assembly polls.

Implications for 2027 Assembly Elections

The ZP results provide several pointers for the 2027 Maharashtra Assembly elections:

• Mahayuti’s sweep in western Maharashtra and Marathwada indicates strong rural consolidation
• MVA’s hold in Vidarbha and parts of north Maharashtra suggests continued Congress–NCP relevance in those regions
• Independent strength in Ahmednagar and Aurangabad shows cooperative politics remains a major factor
• Low turnout in urban areas (Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai) indicates urban voter apathy or anti-incumbency against local bodies

Political analysts believe the ZP verdict has given Mahayuti a psychological edge, but MVA leaders insist the Assembly polls will be fought on different issues (unemployment, inflation, law & order).

Conclusion

The 2026 Zilla Parishad elections have delivered a clear mandate to the ruling Mahayuti alliance in most parts of Maharashtra. The victory strengthens the position of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, while exposing fault lines within the opposition MVA.

As the state moves toward the 2027 Assembly elections, the ZP results will serve as an important barometer of rural voter sentiment. For now, the Mahayuti government can claim a decisive win in the first major electoral test since the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly polls.