Overview
- BJP is the single largest party in the BMC with 89 seats, followed by Shiv Sena (UBT) with 65 and the Shinde-led Sena with 29, but the mayoral post remains undecided as UBT presses for the first 2.5-year term and key committees.
- Uddhav Thackeray accused Eknath Shinde of fearing BJP influence, while Sanjay Raut alleged around 29 corporators were kept at Mumbai’s Taj hotel; the Shinde camp moved members to hotels citing post-election orientation.
- Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the ruling alliance would select the mayor by consensus and rejected defection chatter, with civic officials indicating the vote is likely on 28 January.
- In West Bengal, a Zee Media reporter was assaulted in Murshidabad; Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack and police later detained four suspects.
- Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly urged the Chief Justice of India to protect people from alleged misuse of central agencies as ED-related issues continue before the Supreme Court.