Mumbai Mayor Race Heats Up as BJP Faces Tough Bargaining From Shinde Sena
Raga News Zone | Mumbai
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerging as the single largest party in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), attention has now shifted to the crucial battle for the Mumbai Mayor’s post. However, sources indicate that the BJP’s path may not be smooth, as the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena is expected to play a decisive role in the final outcome.
Although the BJP has secured a strong position in the civic body, it has fallen short of an absolute majority, making alliance support essential. The Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena, which has won a limited but influential number of seats, has suddenly become a key power broker in the mayoral election.
According to sources, leaders from the Shinde Sena believe that the mayor’s post should go to their party, citing Shiv Sena’s long-standing influence and legacy in Mumbai’s civic politics. This stance has reportedly led to intense behind-the-scenes negotiations within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
The BJP, on the other hand, is keen to claim the mayor’s chair for the first time in Mumbai’s history, calling it a symbolic and political milestone. Party insiders argue that as the largest party, BJP deserves to lead the civic body and steer Mumbai’s development agenda.
Eknath Shinde has so far maintained a cautious public stance, stating that alliance partners will collectively decide what is best for Mumbai. Political observers, however, interpret this as a strategic move to retain bargaining power, with possibilities ranging from a term-sharing arrangement to control over key civic committees such as the Standing Committee.
The unfolding situation highlights the complex dynamics of coalition politics, where numerical strength alone may not guarantee leadership positions. As negotiations continue, the final decision on Mumbai’s mayor is expected to reflect a delicate balance of power, alliance compulsions, and political strategy.
More updates are on the way—stay tuned with Raga Zone.
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