Eknath Shinde : MNS support in Mumbai? Shinde puts an end to discussions in one sentence

There has been a major stir in the state's politics after MNS corporators in Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation left the Uddhav Thackeray faction and supported the Shinde faction. Against this backdrop, there is now speculation about whether MNS will do the same in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar's cautious statement that “anything can happen in politics” has fueled the discussions further.

Against this backdrop, Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leader Eknath Shinde was directly asked whether he would seek MNS support in Mumbai. In response, Shinde said, “Instead of talking about ifs and buts, we should talk about the current situation.” With this one sentence, he avoided directly stating a position on a potential alliance, but tried to put an end to the discussions.

This time, Eknath Shinde made an important claim stating that the mayor in Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, and Navi Mumbai municipal corporations will be from the grand alliance. After his statement, the movements for establishing power in the Mumbai municipal corporation have gained momentum. No single party has achieved a clear majority in the Mumbai municipal corporation. BJP has emerged as the largest party, with 89 corporators elected. Uddhav Thackeray's group has 65, Shinde's group has 29, Congress has 24, MNS has 6, AIMIM has 8, NCP has 3, Samajwadi Party has 2, and NCP (ShP) has 1 seat. A majority requires 114 corporators, and even with the BJP-Shinde group combined, support from other parties is needed to reach this number.

Meanwhile, it is known that negotiations between BJP and Shinde group regarding important positions in the municipality are in the final stage. If the mayor's position goes to BJP, it is speculated that the Shinde group might be given the standing committee chairmanship. Additionally, the responsibility for the education, law, market, and garden committees might go to Shiv Sena, while the reform, BEST, and health committees are likely to remain with BJP. Overall, political movements regarding the mayor's position in the Mumbai municipality have gained momentum, and now all eyes are on what role MNS will play.