Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Dec 30: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday extended his best wishes to the BJP–Shiv Sena candidates announced for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, asserting that the ruling Mahayuti alliance is confident of securing a decisive mandate from the people of Mumbai.
His remarks came after the seat-sharing arrangement between the BJP and Shiv Sena was finalised late Monday night. Under the agreement, the BJP will contest 137 seats while the Shiv Sena will field candidates in 90 seats. Other partners of the Mahayuti alliance will also be accommodated within this framework.
Posting on X, Fadnavis said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the alliance remains committed to Mumbai’s development. “Mumbaikars are well aware of who has undertaken development works that have made their lives easier. We are confident that the people of Mumbai will stand firmly behind the Mahayuti and elect all its candidates with a massive majority,” he wrote, wishing success to all contestants.
The seat-sharing formula was earlier announced jointly by Mumbai BJP president Amit Satam and former Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale. Satam said negotiations among the BJP, Shiv Sena and the Republican Party of India (RPI) had concluded, formalising the division of seats. “While consensus on 207 seats had been reached earlier, the final allocation has now been completed. The BJP will contest 137 seats and the Shiv Sena 90 seats. Allies will be given tickets from the respective quotas of the two parties,” he said.
Satam added that the alliance would run a joint campaign focused on reaching out to voters and strengthening its ideological base. “With the blessings of the electorate, a Mahayuti mayor—truly representing Mumbaikars—will take charge after the elections,” he said.
Dismissing speculation about internal discontent, Satam said there was no resentment over ticket distribution, as decisions were taken after detailed consultations. “We arrived at a consensus through minute discussions involving all stakeholders,” he noted.
The announcement comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the BMC polls, especially after Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray declared an alliance last week to counter the BJP-led Mahayuti. However, Mahayuti leaders have played down the impact of the Thackeray cousins’ tie-up, alleging it is driven by power considerations, while reiterating that their own focus remains on Mumbai’s development.
Meanwhile, the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is not part of the Mahayuti for the BMC elections and has decided to contest independently.