The BJP achieved an “unprecedented victory” in the recently concluded BMC elections — breaking its previous records to emerge as the single largest party. Mumbai could also get its first Mayor from the party after the Thackeray camp’s 25-year run in the cash-rich civic body came to a decisive end. But with no party having an absolute majority, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his Shiv Sena could emerge as kingmaker.
According to latest figures, the BJP-Sena combine has secured 117 seats in the 227-member Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. The number is just above the majority mark of 114 and leaves the path clear for government formation. By midnight, the BJP had emerged as the single largest party, winning or leading in 88 wards, whereas Shinde’s Shiv Sena was ahead in 29 wards. The numbers underscore the crucial role being played by the BJP ally to form the governing majority. Source-based reports now suggest that Shinde could seek the top post for his party.
Why the Shinde Sena could create a hurdle
Much has been said about the mayoral post in recent weeks — with the Shiv Sena (UBT), BJP, Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena all playing the Hindu-Marathi identity card. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also insisted on Friday that the “BJP and Mahayuti are going to form their 25 mayors after these elections”. But the party has no workable scenario for governing the corporation without Shinde’s support, and that reason gives him the leverage of a kingmaker.
A source-based NDTV report said this could also push Shinde to seek the mayor’s post for his party, even though it has roughly a third of the BJP’s seat count. The Shinde faction leaders have reportedly stated that “the mayor of Mumbai should be from the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) because it is Balasaheb’s (Bal Thackeray’s) legacy,” referring to the undivided Sena’s long dominance in the BMC.
When asked who should be mayor, Shinde sounded cautious and hinted that the decision would be taken together.
“Our agenda is development. We fought as the Mahayuti (grand alliance) and will sit together to decide what is in the best interest of Mumbai,” Shinde said, as quoted by NDTV.
Analysts also told the publication that the somewhat guarded response could be read as a hint that a middle path could be explored, such as a term-sharing formula for the mayor’s post, though no such arrangement has been officially announced.
Sanjay Raut on the BJP mayor post
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday claimed that Mumbai would not have ended up with a BJP mayor if Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had not “betrayed” the Shiv Sena. In a post on X, Raut made a comparison of Sinde to Jaichand, a historical figure who is often criticised for betrayal and said, “Marathi people will always remember Shinde as Jaichand.”
When will Mumbai get a new mayor?
Mumbai is set to get a mayor again after a gap of nearly four years, as the last elected mayor’s term ended in March 2022, and the BMC went to polls after multiple delays. According to an India TV report, citing sources, the mayoral election process is expected to begin next week, and Mumbai may get a new mayor after January 26, once the official schedule is declared by the BMC Commissioner. The process, the report says, may include a draw to decide the category from which the mayor will be elected, followed by voting for the mayor and deputy mayor.