Maharashtra: Shinde Claims BJP Agreed To Share Mumbai Mayor’s Post With Shiv Sena
The BJP emerged as the single-largest party in the 2026 municipal elections, winning 89 of the 227 seats in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC): Reports
MUMBAI: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has claimed that the BJP has agreed to share the post of Mumbai mayor with his party, with the BJP holding the post for the first two-and-a-half years of the current term, followed by the Shiv Sena (Shinde) for one-and-a-quarter years and the BJP again for the remaining one-and-a-quarter years.
The BJP emerged as the single-largest party in the 2026 municipal elections, winning 89 of the 227 seats in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The Shinde-led Shiv Sena won 29 seats. The two parties contested the elections as allies.
According to Mr. Shinde, his party will get the mayor’s post despite winning fewer seats. Speaking to journalists on Thursday evening, Mr Shinde said “Discussions on sharing the mayor’s post have already taken place. Currently, the post is with the BJP for two and a half years. Of the remaining two and a half years, the Shiv Sena will hold the post for one and a quarter year, followed by the BJP for the remaining period,” he said.
Mr. Shinde’s claim triggered confusion in the BJP with its leaders saying they were unaware if such an agreement exists. Senior BJP leader and minister Ashish Shelar said “Mr Shinde is a senior leader of the NDA. If he has said something while speaking informally, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on it. If there was any discussion between him and the CM, they will clarify it. But the fact is BJP’s Ritu Tawde is the mayor and she is doing a fantastic job.”
BJP spokesperson Nanath Ban also dismissed the claim, saying there was no ongoing discussion on the mayor’s post. “Mr. Shinde has not made any official announcement regarding this. As and when there is a need for any such formula, the CM and DCM will sit down and discuss it. But currently, there is no discussion taking place anywhere regarding the post of mayor,” he said.
The Shiv Sena, however, maintained that an agreement had already been reached between the two leaders. Amey Ghole, the Shiv Sena group leader in the BMC, said other BJP leaders might not be aware of what transpired during a meeting between Mr Fadnavis and Mr Shinde, which, he said, was attended only by the two leaders. He added that Mr Shinde had told Shiv Sena office-bearers that the party would get the mayor’s post for 15 months.
“The mayor’s post formula was decided six months ago at the CM’s official residence, Varsha, between Mr Fadnavis and Mr Shinde. It was agreed that a Shiv Sena mayor would be appointed, and no third person was present there. Mr Shinde, as the party chief, gave us a clear picture about the decision. Perhaps the other BJP leaders are unaware of it,” Mr Ghole said.
