Corporators at Taj, BJP negotiations and ‘jail’ jibe: Inside the Mumbai mayoral battle

The race for Mumbai’s mayoral seat has revived familiar elements of Maharashtra politics — hotel stays, razor-thin numbers, and sharp exchanges — after the BJP–Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) alliance narrowly crossed the majority mark in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.

Shinde hosts corporators at Taj Land’s End

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday night met his party’s 29 newly elected corporators at Taj Land’s End in Bandra. Declaring the outcome a foregone conclusion, Shinde said Mumbai would have a Mahayuti mayor, adding that neighbouring civic bodies such as Kalyan-Dombivli were expected to follow suit.

The Shinde faction described the hotel stay as a three-day orientation for first-time corporators — 20 of the 29 are new — before their formal registration with the Konkan divisional commissioner. However, the opposition remains unconvinced.

Tight numbers raise stakes

The BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 89 seats in the 227-member House, while Shinde’s Sena added 29, taking the Mahayuti tally to 118 — just four above the halfway mark of 114. With such a narrow margin, party managers are keenly aware that even a small defection could complicate the mayoral vote. Sena leaders privately acknowledge that the hotel stay also helps guard against last-minute poaching.

Opposition alleges “bargaining”

The opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) has accused Shinde’s faction of using the hotel huddle to negotiate with the BJP over the mayor’s post. Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut called the hotel a “jail” and demanded the “release” of corporators, suggesting Shinde fears losing his members.

Shinde dismissed the allegations, saying his party is “fearless” and hinting that some opposition corporators may be the ones who turn “untraceable” on voting day. Industry Minister Uday Samant echoed this view, noting that abstentions or cross-voting could produce surprises.

Mayor math remains tense

The mayor is formally elected by corporators, and while the Mahayuti has crossed the majority threshold, its slim cushion keeps tensions high. The opposition notes that even a united front of Sena (UBT), MNS, Congress, and others would nearly reach the majority mark.

The Shinde faction insists the alliance fought the elections together and highlights the symbolic importance of the upcoming birth centenary of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. Within the BJP, leaders are reflecting on an underwhelming performance, citing seat-sharing adjustments, candidate selection, and the opposition’s “Marathi manoos” appeal as factors.

Uddhav Thackeray keeps the door ajar

Despite losing control of the BMC, Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray suggested his party could still secure the mayor’s post “if God is willing,” prompting a playful response from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Opposition leaders maintain that a united Sena could have outpolled the BJP. For now, arithmetic — and the controlled movements of corporators — favours the Mahayuti alliance.