BJP and Shiv Sena are set to jointly register their groups of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) corporators at the Konkan divisional commissioner’s office on Monday. The move comes after the two parties reached a power-sharing arrangement following the recent BMC elections.
Under the deal, BJP, which won 89 seats, will head the joint group of 118 corporators. Shiv Sena, which secured 29 seats, will retain the authority to issue the whip. This ensures that even if Sena loses the group leader’s post, it will still maintain significant influence over the group’s decisions.
How the Power Sharing Formula Works
Key Positions Divided
According to party functionaries, the allocation of key posts under the agreement is as follows:
- BJP: Mayor and Standing Committee Chair
- Shiv Sena: Chairpersons of Improvements, Health, and BEST Committees
While the joint registration is expected to be formalized soon, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will give the final approval.
Shiv Sena is also reportedly seeking assurance from BJP that it will get the mayoral post at a later stage, even if for a shorter period than its previous demand of 2.5 years.
Why a Joint Group Matters
A joint BJP-Shiv Sena group offers several strategic advantages:
- Extra Nominated Corporator: Mahayuti (the alliance) will gain one more nominated corporator.
- Committee Representation: Both parties will secure one additional seat in all civic panels, including the standing committee.
- Blocking Opposition: The move will prevent AIMIM from securing a nominated corporator.
BJP functionaries explained that if the parties were to form separate groups, smaller parties like MNS might get a chance to place one of their six corporators in the standing committee.
Balance of Power Maintained
Shiv Sena Retains Leverage
A senior functionary said that the joint group arrangement ensures a “balance of power” within Mahayuti.
“Even a BJP corporator will be bound by Shiv Sena’s whip in group matters. The additional nominated corporator and committee seats will act as a buffer, as all committees will have a near-equal number of opposition members,” the official explained.
This setup allows both parties to maintain influence while preventing smaller opposition parties from gaining a foothold in key civic committees.
Timeline for Mayoral Polls and Committee Appointments
The mayoral election is expected to take place after February 10. Following that, elections to various civic committees will be held, along with the appointment of 10 nominated corporators.
This sequence of events means that the joint group formation and committee representation will directly impact the governance structure and decision-making in the BMC for the coming term.
Strategic Implications
The alliance shows BJP and Shiv Sena’s willingness to cooperate despite previous differences over power sharing. By forming a joint group, the parties ensure:
- Greater control over civic committees
- Enhanced coordination between the two main alliance partners
- Reduced chances for smaller parties like AIMIM and MNS to gain strategic positions
Analysts say this move could strengthen Mahayuti’s hold over Mumbai’s civic administration and ensure smoother governance in the coming years.
