#Mumbai: The final results of the Mumbai Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections have conclusively proven that the exit poll conducted by Shining India Survey in collaboration with Shining India News was not only directionally correct, but numerically one of the most accurate exit polls of BMC 2026.
Exit Poll Projections Declared by Shining India Survey (Alliance-wise)
Based on an extensive sample size of 37,962 respondents, Shining India Survey had projected the following seat ranges:
- BJP + Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde): 126 seats ±15
- Shiv Sena (UBT) + MNS: 69 seats ±15
- Congress + VBA: 18 seats ±5
- Samajwadi Party (SP): 4 seats ±2
- AIMIM: 3 seats ±2
- NCP: 2 seats ±1
- Others: 5 seats ±2
- Close Fight: 42 wards
Final Results Validate the Exit Poll Core
The official results for all 227 wards reflected the same political structure anticipated by the exit poll:
- BJP + SSES: 118 wards
- SS (UBT) + MNS+ : 72 wards
- Congress+ : 24 wards
- AIMIM: 8 wards
- NCP: 3 wards
- SP: 2 wards
Taken together, the BJP–Shinde Sena combine clearly emerged as the leading bloc, exactly as projected, paving the way for the BJP to lead Mumbai and stake claim to the Mayor’s post after many years.
Why This Exit Poll Stands Out
What makes the Shining India exit poll exceptional is:
- Alliance-wise clarity, not just party-wise guessing
- Realistic margins of error, transparently disclosed
- Accurate identification of 40+ close-fight wards, many of which saw razor-thin results
- A ground-driven methodology that captured Mumbai’s multi-cornered and fragmented mandate
A New Credibility Benchmark
In a highly competitive and politically fragmented election, where overstatement and sensationalism dominated the discourse, Shining India Survey and Shining India News delivered calm, data-backed, and credible electoral insight.
Shining India Survey & Shining India News has been conducting surveys and exit polls for the past 25 years, earning a strong reputation for credibility, neutrality, and rigorous ground-level research. Over the decades, it has emerged as one of the most trusted survey agencies in India, known for its disciplined methodology, transparency, and fact-based analysis.
This credibility has been built under the leadership of Mr Hrithik Saini, Editor-in-Chief of Shining India Survey Groups, whose tireless hard work, honest research practices, and deep commitment to data integrity have played a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s standing. His focus on ground realities, unbiased interpretation, and ethical research standards has ensured that Shining India Survey consistently delivers insights that stand the test of results and time.
Because of this sustained dedication, Shining India Survey is widely respected by policymakers, senior political leaders, media organizations, and researchers, and continues to set a benchmark for credibility and professionalism in electoral and public opinion research across India.
BMC Election 2026 will be remembered as a fragmented mandate for Mumbai—but also as the election where Shining India’s exit poll earned unmatched trust, accuracy, and national recognition.
Bureau Report
Ashok Saini
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