After a decisive victory in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance now controls India’s richest civic body, which operates with a massive budget of ₹74,427 crore—larger than the combined budgets of several major municipal corporations in the country.
Given the scale of the mandate, many expected the alliance to quickly move toward appointing Mumbai’s next mayor. Instead, the process has hit an unexpected pause, leaving the city without clarity on who will occupy the powerful mayor’s chair.
On paper, the numbers make the decision look straightforward. The Bharatiya Janata Party has emerged as the single largest party and has publicly indicated that the mayor should come from its ranks. But politics inside the ruling alliance has complicated matters. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, a key partner in the Mahayuti, is believed to be keen on staking its own claim to the post.
One major reason for the delay lies in the reservation system governing the mayor’s position. The post is allotted on a rotational basis across different categories, including general, Scheduled Castes, OBCs, and women. The final category will be decided through a lottery conducted by the state’s Urban Development Department. Until this draw is completed, no party can officially name its candidate.
Beyond procedure, symbolism is also at play. Sources indicate that the Shinde-led Sena views the mayoralty as more than just an administrative role. With the birth centenary of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray beginning on January 23, there is a strong sentiment within Shinde’s camp that a Shiv Sainik should lead Mumbai as a tribute to the party’s founder. Such a move, they believe, would also reinforce their claim as the torchbearers of Balasaheb’s legacy.
At the same time, accommodating a Sena mayor could serve a larger political purpose. It may help the Mahayuti project unity while also politically cornering the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, which continues to assert itself as the “real” Shiv Sena—a dispute that is currently before the Supreme Court.
For now, the BJP appears to be waiting for the reservation announcement before taking a final call. Insiders suggest that once the category is declared, negotiations within the alliance will intensify.
