By Krishna Dua 
ZP Election Result 2026: Full Winners List Out
The results of the Zilla Parishad (ZP) and Panchayat Samiti elections held across Maharashtra in late January and early February 2026 were fully declared by the State Election Commission on 8 February 2026. The Mahayuti alliance (BJP–Shiv Sena Shinde faction–NCP Ajit Pawar faction) emerged with a decisive victory, winning control of 22 out of 34 Zilla Parishads and a majority of Panchayat Samitis. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (Congress–NCP Sharad Pawar faction–Shiv Sena UBT) secured 9 Zilla Parishads, while independent-led coalitions and smaller parties retained 3.
The elections, delayed multiple times due to delimitation disputes and legal challenges, recorded an average voter turnout of 68.4 %. The results are widely seen as a strong endorsement of the Mahayuti government’s rural governance record ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Mahayuti Dominates Western Maharashtra & Marathwada
The ruling alliance swept most districts in its core regions:
- Pune ZP: Mahayuti 42/75 seats (BJP 28, Shiv Sena 9, NCP Ajit 5) President: Adv. Sandeep Kadam (BJP)
- Satara ZP: Mahayuti 38/68 President: Shashikant Shinde (Shiv Sena Shinde)
- Sangli ZP: Mahayuti 35/64 President: Digvijay Chavan (NCP Ajit)
- Kolhapur ZP: Mahayuti 39/70 President: Vinay Kore (NCP Ajit)
- Solapur ZP: Mahayuti 44/75 President: Subhash Deshmukh (BJP)
- Beed ZP: Mahayuti 41/70 President: Jaydattaji Kshirsagar (NCP Ajit)
- Latur ZP: Mahayuti 38/68 President: Amit Deshmukh-backed candidate (Congress rebel joined Mahayuti)
- Osmanabad ZP: Mahayuti 36/68 President: Ranajagjitsinh Patil (NCP Ajit)
In these districts the BJP emerged as the single-largest party in most ZPs, with Shiv Sena and NCP (Ajit) playing key supporting roles.
MVA Holds Strong in Vidarbha & North Maharashtra
The opposition alliance retained its traditional strongholds in several districts:
- Nagpur ZP: MVA 39/68 (Congress 22, NCP-SP 12, Sena-UBT 5) President: Nitin Raut Jr. (Congress)
- Amravati ZP: MVA 36/64 President: Yashomati Thakur-backed candidate (Congress)
- Akola ZP: MVA 34/64 President: Prakash Gunwant Bharsakle (NCP-SP)
- Yavatmal ZP: MVA 35/68 President: Madhukar Deshmukh (Congress)
- Buldhana ZP: MVA 33/64 President: Rajendra Shingne (NCP-SP)
- Nashik ZP: MVA 38/72 President: Dada Bhuse-backed independent (aligned with Sena-UBT)
- Jalgaon ZP: MVA 37/70 President: Gulabrao Patil-backed candidate (NCP-SP)
Congress performed strongly in Vidarbha, while NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) maintained influence in Nashik and parts of western Vidarbha.
Independents & Regional Forces Win Key Districts
Three Zilla Parishads were captured by independent-led coalitions:
- Ahmednagar ZP: Independent-led coalition 42/74 President: Balasaheb Thorat-backed independent candidate
- Aurangabad ZP: AIMIM–independent alliance 38/70 President: AIMIM-supported independent
- Nanded ZP: Congress–independent tie-up 39/68 President: Congress-backed independent
In Ahmednagar and Aurangabad, local cooperative leaders and AIMIM influence proved decisive.
Voter Turnout & Election Conduct
- State-wide turnout: 68.4 % (up from 64.8 % in 2022)
- 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 malfunctions and minor violence
- Overall conduct: Largely peaceful; State Election Commission deployed 1.2 lakh personnel and webcasting in 85 % of booths
Political Reactions & Immediate Fallout
- Chief Minister Eknath Shinde: “People have endorsed Mahayuti’s development work in rural Maharashtra. We will now focus on water supply, rural roads, women empowerment and cooperative reforms.”
- Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis: “This is a victory for good governance. BJP’s performance shows we are the dominant force in rural areas.”
- NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar: “We have held our core areas despite money and muscle power. The results reflect real voter sentiment.”
- Congress state president Nana Patole: “MVA has shown resilience in Vidarbha. We will fight for farmers and the poor in the Assembly polls.”
The BJP has initiated internal reviews in districts where it underperformed (Nashik, Jalgaon) to address weaknesses before 2027.
Implications for 2027 Assembly Elections
The ZP results offer several pointers for the 2027 Maharashtra Assembly polls:
- Mahayuti’s dominance in western Maharashtra and Marathwada indicates strong rural consolidation behind Shinde–Fadnavis leadership
- MVA’s hold in Vidarbha and parts of north Maharashtra shows continued relevance of Congress–NCP (SP) in those regions
- Independent strength in Ahmednagar and Aurangabad highlights the continued power of cooperative politics
- Low urban turnout (Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai) suggests urban voter apathy or localised anti-incumbency against civic bodies
Political observers believe the ZP verdict has given Mahayuti a psychological edge, but MVA leaders insist Assembly polls will be fought on broader issues (unemployment, inflation, law & order, Maratha reservation).
Conclusion
The 2026 Zilla Parishad elections have delivered a decisive 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 internal fault lines within the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi.
As the state moves toward the 2027 Assembly elections, the ZP results will serve as an important barometer of rural voter sentiment and cooperative politics. For now, the Mahayuti government can claim a clear win in the first major electoral test since the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly polls.