Mumbai, January 20:The results of the Maharashtra municipal elections have been declared, but uncertainty continues over the formation of power in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as the single largest party but has not crossed the required majority mark to form the Mayor unilaterally.
The BJP is attempting to secure the Mayor’s post with the support of its ally, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. However, negotiations within the Mahayuti alliance have not yet reached a conclusion. Meanwhile, opposition parties are actively strategizing to stake their claim.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut reacted strongly to the situation, stating that forming the Mayor’s post will not be easy for the BJP. He pointed out that the BJP–Shinde faction alliance currently holds 118 seats, but internal disagreements are preventing a final deal. On the other hand, the opposition bloc has 108 seats and is targeting the magic figure of 114.
Raut emphasized that the opposition is just six seats away from a majority and added, “Anything can happen in Mumbai.”
He further alleged that while Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators are living openly and continuing their normal lives, Eknath Shinde is acting out of fear. According to Raut, Shinde is worried about possible defections and horse-trading, which is why his corporators have been kept in resorts. He claimed Shinde does not fully trust his own corporators and fears they might extend support to Uddhav Thackeray. Raut also stated that many corporators do not want to see a BJP Mayor in Mumbai.
According to official results, out of 227 BMC wards, the BJP won 89 seats. Shiv Sena (UBT) secured second place with 65 seats. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena won 29 seats, while the Congress alliance secured 24 seats. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) won 6 seats.
With numbers still falling short of a clear majority, the battle for the Mumbai Mayor’s post remains wide open.
