BMC elections: Nearly 4 in 5 winners are crorepatis, one-fourth report criminal cases

A significant number of newly elected corporators in the 2026 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections have declared criminal cases, while the overwhelming majority come from wealthy backgrounds, according to a new analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

The ADR report, prepared in collaboration with Maharashtra Election Watch, examined the affidavits of all 227 winning candidates. It found that 54 winners, roughly 24 per cent, have disclosed pending criminal cases against themselves.

Of these, 29 candidates, accounting for about 13 per cent, face serious criminal charges. The study is based on self-sworn affidavits submitted by candidates during the municipal elections.

Party-wise criminal background

The analysis highlights notable variations among political parties. Around 33 per cent of winners from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) declared criminal cases, the highest among major parties. This was followed by Shiv Sena at 24 per cent and Shiv Sena (UBT) at 15 per cent.

Wealth profile of winners

The report also points to the dominance of affluent candidates in Mumbai’s civic body. As many as 180 of the 227 winning corporators, about 79 per cent, reported assets exceeding Rs 1 crore. The average assets declared by winning candidates stand at Rs 7.18 crore.

Among parties, 76 per cent of BJP winners were crorepatis. The proportion was even higher among other parties, 83 per cent for Shiv Sena (UBT), 93 per cent for Shiv Sena, and 92 per cent for the Indian National Congress.

Gender and age distribution

Women secured a clear majority in the BMC, with the report noting that 60 per cent of elected corporators are female.

In terms of age, approximately 70 per cent of winners fall within the 41–70 years bracket, suggesting that middle-aged and senior candidates continue to dominate local politics.

Educational qualifications

Educational data from the affidavits indicates that nearly half of the winners hold graduate-level degrees or higher, reflecting a relatively strong academic profile among elected representatives.