BMC Election : Dispute over many seats between BJP-Eknath Shinde Shiv Sena in Mumbai municipal elections

Once upon a time, Mumbai was Uddhav Thackeray's stronghold. But the state government collapsed in 2022, and Uddhav Thackeray's power began to wane. Last year, in the assembly elections, the Thackeray faction had to be content with just 20 seats. The BJP maintained their strength in Mumbai. Meanwhile, the Shinde faction also made inroads by winning some assembly seats in Mumbai. Uddhav Thackeray and MNS's public support diminished. Therefore, the Mumbai municipal election is important for them, while for the BJP and Shinde's Shiv Sena, winning Mumbai and further weakening Thackeray is necessary for their politics.

Yesterday, a meeting was held between BJP and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena regarding an alliance in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections. At this time, there is a deadlock between the two parties over some seats. There is a deadlock between BJP and Shinde's Shiv Sena over seats in the traditional and politically sensitive wards of Lalbaug, Parel, Dadar, Mahim, Byculla, and Colaba in Mumbai. Sources say that both parties have claimed these seats. Shinde's Shiv Sena is firmly insistent on the seats from which former corporators during Uddhav Thackeray's time were elected. Shiv Sena claims that their traditional strength remains in these areas.

Why is BJP claiming these seats?

It is reported that the Shinde faction has argued that these seats should be theirs due to organizational structure and local connections. On the other hand, the BJP is also claiming these important seats in Mumbai city based on Hindu nationalist votes. In recent years, the BJP's strength has increased in the city's constituencies, and the party claims that its influence has grown among urban voters, the business community, and the middle class. It is informed that an attempt will be made to find a preliminary solution to this dilemma in an important meeting to be held tomorrow. The formula for seat allocation, local political equations, results of previous elections, and the possibility of victory will be thoroughly reviewed in this meeting.