Mumbai elections: Agreement on 150 seats in BJP-Shiv Sena grand alliance, talks ongoing on remaining 77

A major step forward has been taken on seat-sharing in the ruling alliance for the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena have reached a mutual agreement on 150 seats out of 227 wards. Mumbai BJP President Amit Satam gave this information on Thursday. He said that talks are going on on the remaining 77 wards and it will be finalized in the next two to three days.

Addressing a joint press conference with Shiv Sena MLA and Maharashtra government minister Uday Samant, Amit Satam said that the final decision on the remaining wards will be taken by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Satam made it clear that giving Mumbai a corruption-free administration and fulfilling the aspirations of Mumbaikars is more important than the number of seats.

He said, “It is not important which party contests on how many seats. Mahayuti will contest elections on 227 wards and will win more than 150 seats, from which the mayor of Mahayuti will be elected.” Satam alleged that the parties which ruled BMC for 25 years indulged in corruption and are now trying to change the character of Mumbai for electoral gains, which the Mahayuti will defeat.

Emphasizing on the unity of Mahayuti, Satam said that BJP, Shiv Sena and Republican Party of India (RPI) are together strongly. He said, “The bow-arrow and the lotus are one. The alliance will not break under any circumstances.”

Amit Satam also clarified the Mahayuti’s stand on the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction led by Nawab Malik. “We have nothing to do with Nawab Malik-led NCP. We will have no relation with him until he is acquitted of the serious charges against him,” he said.

Responding to this, NCP state president Sunil Tatkare said that the party will make every possible effort to ensure coordination within the grand alliance. He clarified that Nawab Malik is the chairman of the NCP’s internal election management committee and the talks within the grand alliance take place at the state leadership level. Tatkare said that a decision on this issue is expected in a day or two.

He also informed that discussions have been held on this issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP National President Ajit Pawar and senior leader Praful Patel. “After these meetings Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel and I have discussed in detail. I will again talk to Ajit Pawar. As state president, Mumbai and all the divisions come under my jurisdiction,” Tatkare said.

Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant reiterated that agreement has been reached on 150 seats and talks will continue on the remaining 77. He said, “The issue is not who will contest on how many seats, but to move forward unitedly as a grand alliance.” Samant expressed confidence that Mahayuti will win more than 150 seats and if there are differences on some seats, Chief Minister Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis will take the final decision. “The alliance will not break on seat-sharing or any other issue. Our duty is to fulfill the dreams of the people of Mumbai,” he said.

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