Mumbai Mayor Race: Shinde's Mahayuti Stance Reveals BJP-Sena Power Dynamics in Maharashtra Politics

The Shiv Sena maintained control of the Mumbai mayor's position for 25 consecutive years before the party split.

Mumbai:

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde displayed notable caution when questioned about the forthcoming Mumbai mayoral election—a contest historically vital to Shiv Sena's political identity. Before its division, Shiv Sena had maintained control of Mumbai's mayoral position for 25 years. During NDTV Marathi Manch's "Unstoppable Maharashtra" conclave on Wednesday, when asked if Sena would retain this position, Shinde carefully avoided making any specific claims, simply stating twice, "The mayor of Mumbai will be from the Mahayuti."

Inside sources reveal that the BJP has indicated willingness to allow Shinde's Sena faction to hold mayoral positions in Mira-Bhayandar and Thane, but considers Mumbai non-negotiable.

The political reunion between the Thackeray cousins has injected fresh momentum into the upcoming Brihanmumbai Corporation elections, particularly considering their strong personal influence in Mumbai and the Konkan region.

The central contest is expected to occur between the BJP's Hindutva platform and the Thackerays' "Marathi first" narrative.

In this political landscape, Shinde increasingly appears to be functioning in a supporting capacity to the BJP rather than asserting Sena's traditional dominance in the city.

"All parties have the right to form alliances. Our agenda is clear - development and welfare schemes," Shinde remarked when questioned about the Thackeray reunion.

He subsequently emphasized his ideological heritage, stating, "We are following Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology," while criticizing the Thackerays for "not showing interest" during rural local elections.

Behind the public facade, tension between Shinde's Sena faction and the BJP has been growing in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Shinde has engaged in disputes with BJP state chief Ravindra Chavan regarding "uncontrolled" poaching of his party members.

Speaking at the same event earlier that day, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reinforced the BJP's confidence while affirming his commitment to maintaining the alliance.

"We are working to make the BJP 'aatmanirbhar' (self-reliant), but the alliance will stay intact till 2029," the Chief Minister stated, while reiterating that there would be no further poaching between the two parties.