According to sources, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction is reportedly eyeing a significant share of the seats in Mumbai’s civic polls, claiming at least 100 out of the 227 available in the BMC. This demand is expected to trigger internal negotiations within the Mahayuti coalition, which also includes the BJP and Ajit Pawar's NCP faction.
Following last year's Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, the state government had signaled its intent to conduct local body elections in 2025. Now, with the Supreme Court directing that these elections be held within the next four months, all major political parties have intensified their groundwork.
While the BJP has already conducted review meetings to assess its strategy, the Shinde Sena has begun consolidating its base. On Wednesday, School Education Minister and senior Shinde Sena leader Dada Bhuse convened a large-scale meeting of former corporators at the Janjira Bungalow. The meeting was held in two phases, with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde personally interacting with ex-corporators from both the 2017–2022 term and earlier.
Sources indicate that approximately 55 to 60 former corporators attended the two sessions. Of these, the Shinde group commands the loyalty of around 46 corporators who were originally part of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena during the 2017–2022 BMC term. Including additional former corporators, the Shinde camp is said to have already identified 70–75 potential candidates for the upcoming elections.
The BMC, with a budget larger than that of some smaller states, is considered a political and administrative prize. Control over the civic body carries significant influence and prestige, particularly in the financial capital of the country.
With the clock ticking toward the court-mandated election deadline, alliance dynamics in the Mahayuti will be closely watched. The Shinde group’s assertive seat claim is expected to spark negotiations — and potentially friction — among coalition partners in the run-up to one of the most critical municipal contests in the state.