Both daughters of former gangster and ex-MLA Arun Gawli faced defeat in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Geeta Gawli and Yogita, representing the Akhil Bharatiya Sena (ABHS) founded by their father, contested from Mumbai’s Byculla area. Geeta, a three-time BMC corporator, lost in Ward No. 212 to Samajwadi Party candidate Amrin Shezad Abrahani, while Yogita was defeated in Ward No. 207 by BJP candidate Rohidas Lokhande.
Arun Gawli, who was released from Nagpur Central Jail in September 2025 after being granted bail by the Supreme Court, witnessed his daughters’ electoral setbacks. Meanwhile, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) made significant gains in the Maharashtra municipal corporation elections. The party secured 125 seats across 13 of the 29 corporations, signaling a shift in minority voting patterns in the state.
In Mumbai, AIMIM achieved a breakthrough by winning eight seats, marking its presence in minority-dominated areas. The party also performed well in Malegaon, with the Islam Party emerging as a dominant force in Malegaon East. AIMIM’s success extended to Nanded, Amravati, Dhule, Nagpur, and Thane, securing seats in each region.
The election results reflect a growing inclination of urban Maharashtra’s Muslim voters towards AIMIM, distancing from traditional political alliances. With 125 seats, AIMIM, led by Asaduddin Owaisi, has emerged as a key player in hung corporations, influencing the political landscape in the state.
