Overview
- The BJP–Shinde Shiv Sena alliance holds 118 of 227 BMC seats, just four above the 114 majority mark, with BJP at 89 and Shinde’s faction at 29 against Shiv Sena (UBT) at 65.
- Eknath Shinde met his corporators at Taj Land’s End and declared Mumbai will have a Mahayuti mayor, rejecting poaching claims and describing the hotel stay as a three-day orientation.
- Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged the corporators were being kept captive and hinted at possible defections, while Shinde countered that his party is not fearful.
- Reports indicate Shinde’s camp is poised to seek a rotational mayoral arrangement and control of key civic committees, as BJP leaders say decisions will be taken jointly within the alliance.
- Parties cannot name candidates until a statutory draw decides whether the mayor’s post is reserved for SC, ST, OBC or women, delaying the formal contest and extending negotiations.