Mumbai is in political suspense as the city waits to know who will become its next mayor. Even though the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena alliance secured a clear majority in the 227-member Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the question of leadership remains unresolved.
While the law does not require the largest party to automatically claim the mayor’s post, historically, parties with a majority have managed to do so. This time, the negotiations and political maneuvering are keeping everyone guessing.
Election Results at a Glance
In the recent municipal elections, the results were as follows:
- BJP: 89 seats
- Shinde-led Shiv Sena: 29 seats
- Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction, UBT): 65 seats
The last mayor, Shiv Sena’s Kishori Pednekar, also won her seat in this election.
With these numbers, the BJP-Shinde alliance holds a clear majority, but it is not guaranteed that the BJP will automatically appoint the mayor. Power-sharing discussions are already underway, making the process anything but straightforward.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Reacts with Defiance
Amid the uncertainty, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray struck a strong and defiant tone. Speaking to newly elected corporators at Matoshree, he accused the BJP of winning “by betrayal” and alleged that his faction was still strong on the ground despite being weakened on paper.
Thackeray said the BJP might attempt to secure the mayor’s post through defections, warning corporators not to be swayed. He emphasized that Shiv Sena (UBT) aims to get its candidate elected as mayor and stated that Marathi pride and loyalty cannot be bought.
He also highlighted the issue of corporators defecting in the past, noting that many elected from the Shinde faction were originally from Sena (UBT), and warned that the BJP could repeat similar strategies to claim the mayor’s post.
Key Quote from Uddhav Thackeray
“BJP wants to mortgage Mumbai. It won the polls by betrayal, but Marathi manoos will not forgive this sin. It is our dream to see a Shiv Sena (UBT) mayor elected; God willing, it will happen,” Thackeray said.
Shinde Faction Moves and Speculation
Meanwhile, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena moved its newly elected corporators to a luxury hotel in Mumbai. Party leaders said the relocation was for rest and orientation, but it has sparked speculation about controlling loyalty before the mayoral vote.
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde met with corporators to discuss the city’s development plan, manifesto implementation, and a five-year roadmap. The Shinde faction is also demanding the first 2.5-year mayoral term as part of a power-sharing agreement with the BJP.
They argue that BJP does not have enough seats to appoint a mayor independently and should share the post, along with proportional representation in key committee positions such as the standing committee chairmanship.
Devendra Fadnavis: Calm Amid the Storm
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissed rumors about defections and poaching, promising a “Mahayuti mayor” from the ruling alliance.
He said, “Eknath Shinde, I, and other leaders from both parties will meet and decide together who will be Mumbai mayor and for how long. There will be no differences. Everything will go smoothly, and together we will efficiently run Mumbai.”
When asked about Thackeray’s invocation of God to support Sena (UBT), Fadnavis joked that he too is called “Deva” and added that the outcome is already decided in favor of the ruling alliance.
Opposition Speaks Out
Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut confirmed that the opposition has enough numbers to challenge the ruling alliance but said they would respect democracy. He claimed that even corporators from Shinde’s faction are reluctant to support a BJP mayor and alleged that some members are being held in the Taj Hotel in Mumbai.
Raut accused Shinde of turning the hotel into a “jail” for 25–29 corporators, who he says are being kept there out of fear of threats or harm, demanding their immediate release.
When Will the Mayoral Election Happen?
Civic sources say that the mayoral elections are likely to be held on January 28, 2026, after a special meeting is called by the municipal secretary and commissioner.
The election will be conducted by a vote among the corporators. The candidate with the maximum votes will be declared mayor, and the second-highest will become deputy mayor.
Why the Suspense Continues
Even though the ruling alliance has the numbers, internal negotiations, power-sharing demands, and political posturing mean that the identity of Mumbai’s next mayor remains uncertain.
The BJP-Shinde alliance must balance its internal factions while considering Sena (UBT)’s resistance and possible defections. The final decision will signal how Maharashtra’s urban political landscape is shaping up for the coming years.
Looking Ahead
The next few weeks will be critical as both sides try to consolidate support. With the mayoral election just days away, all eyes in Mumbai are on political strategies, defections, and power-sharing negotiations.
Whether the mayor comes from the BJP or Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the city’s governance, urban policies, and civic management will face immediate scrutiny, making this election far more than a ceremonial post.
