Uncertainty continues over who will become the next Mayor of Mumbai, even as the newly elected Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) settles into place. Despite the ruling alliance having the numbers, intense negotiations and political maneuvering have kept the mayoral decision on hold.
The BJP – Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) alliance has secured a clear majority in the 227 member civic body. However, talks are ongoing over the power sharing formula, particularly regarding the mayor’s tenure. The Shinde-led Shiv Sena is pushing hard to secure the first 2.5 years of the mayoral term, with the BJP expected to take over for the remaining half of the five-year term.
Alliance leaders argue that this arrangement reflects the contribution and strength of both partners in the civic elections. While the alliance has publicly maintained unity, behind-the-scenes negotiations over key posts including mayor, deputy mayor and committee chairmanships remain unresolved.
Adding to the suspense, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has expressed hope that his faction could still produce the Mumbai mayor. Calling it his “Dream,” Thackeray said the outcome would depend on destiny, even as his party sits in the opposition benches with a sizeable presence in the BMC.
Political activity has intensified, with reports of ruling alliance corporators being moved to secure locations to prevent any last minute defections. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asserted that the next mayor will come from the Mahayuti alliance and dismissed speculation of internal instability.
The mayor is elected through a vote of corporators in the BMC, and while the ruling alliance is confident of victory, the final name and tenure-sharing arrangement are yet to be formally announced. Until consensus is reached, Mumbai’s most powerful civic post remains undecided.
For now, all eyes are on alliance talks, as Mumbai waits to see who will don the mayor’s sash and how power will be shared in India’s richest municipal corporation.
