Mumbai, 24 December. The impasse over seat sharing continues in the ruling BJP-led alliance Mahayuti for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Shiv Sena, led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, is refusing to accept BJP’s proposal of 50 seats and is demanding 80 to 90 seats.
BJP is planning to contest on 150 seats out of total 227 BMC seats.
In fact, out of total 227 BMC seats, BJP itself is preparing to contest on 150 seats and there is a plan to give 50 seats to Shinde Sena and most of the 27 seats in minority dominated areas to Ajit Pawar led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
According to the report of English daily The New Indian Express, Shinde has rejected BJP’s proposal. He argues that he has around 100 eligible candidates, including many former councillors. Shinde told the BJP leadership – Shiv Sena is the main party of Mumbai, hence it should get at least 80 to 90 seats. If fewer seats are given, it will be difficult to accommodate people who have joined Shiv Sena in the hope of BMC elections.
Shinde’s warning – If dissatisfaction increases, angry candidates can join Shiv Sena (UBT)
Shinde warned that this could lead to increased discontent and angry candidates returning to Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT), which would be harmful for the Grand Alliance. Also, it will send a wrong message to Marathi voters, who play a decisive role in BMC elections. However, BJP is adamant on its position.
If Shinde doesn’t agree then Ajit Pawar will NCP Preparation of a strong alliance with
According to the report, a senior BJP leader said on the condition of anonymity – ‘We cannot give even 80 seats to Shiv Sena. Can offer maximum 60 seats. If Shinde remains adamant on his demand, we can ask him to contest separate elections. In such a situation, 27 seats demanded by Shiv Sena will be given to Ajit Pawar’s NCP and BJP will fight on about 200 seats. We can come to power even with 50 percent strike rate, but fighting less seats will not benefit BJP.
The senior BJP leader said that after Shinde remained adamant on the demand of 90 seats, the top leadership of BJP has decided to firmly include Ajit Pawar-led NCP in the alliance for the BMC elections.
Big test of Mahayuti’s unity and election strategy
At present, due to lack of consensus among the constituent parties of Mahayuti, political activity has intensified before the BMC elections. This seat sharing dispute may prove to be a big test for both the unity and election strategy of the alliance in the coming days. BMC elections are scheduled to be held on January 15, 2026 and the nomination process has started. Mahayuti’s massive victory in the recent local body elections has strengthened the BJP’s position, where it emerged as the single largest party.
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