With the clock ticking for the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the ruling Mahayuti coalition has inched closer to a final seat-sharing agreement. The alliance, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has reportedly reached a broad consensus on the allocation of nearly 200 out of the total 227 electoral wards in Mumbai.
Marathon Negotiations as Deadline Looms
Intense, high-level discussions have been underway to resolve the sticking points over the remaining 27 seats. These talks have stretched late into the night, highlighting the urgency as the window for filing nomination papers narrows. On Friday, December 27, 2025, the third round of crucial negotiations was held at Eknath Shinde's residence in Thane. The meeting saw the presence of senior leaders from both parties, including Shrikant Shinde, Uday Samant, BJP Maharashtra president Ravindra Chavan, BJP leader Niranjan Davkhare, and Shiv Sena leader Naresh Mhaske.
BJP's Mumbai president, Ameet Satam, confirmed the progress, stating that the Mahayuti has decided to contest all 227 seats in the financial capital. "There is already consensus on 200 seats. The decision on the remaining 27 seats is pending and will be taken based on the candidates and winnability combinations," Satam said. This indicates that local electoral dynamics and the strength of potential candidates will be the final arbiters in sealing the deal.
Mumbai Formula and Wider Civic Poll Strategy
While the broad formula for Mumbai is understood to be in place—with the BJP expected to field candidates in about 140 wards and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena in approximately 87—the final list awaits official endorsement from alliance leadership. Sources reveal that the delay is partly strategic, as an early announcement could spark unrest among ticket aspirants who are left out.
The discussions, however, were not confined to Mumbai alone. The alliance leaders also deliberated on seat-sharing arrangements for other major civic bodies, including Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, and Navi Mumbai municipal corporations. Negotiations in Thane have proven particularly contentious, with the BJP pushing for 40 to 45 seats, a demand the Shinde faction has resisted. This issue has now been escalated to the state leadership, and further meetings involving Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are anticipated.
Confidence and Challenges Beyond Mumbai
Despite the ongoing friction over a handful of seats, leaders from both constituent parties have publicly expressed confidence that the next mayor of Mumbai will be from the Mahayuti alliance. They are keen to project a united front and maintain political momentum, especially in Mumbai where control of the country's richest civic body holds immense political and administrative significance.
The seat-sharing talks in Pune have added another layer of complexity to the Mahayuti's civic poll strategy. Reports suggest the Shiv Sena has demanded 35 seats there, but the BJP has only offered around 15, leading to strong warnings from Sena leaders.
As the nomination deadline draws near, pressure is mounting on the Mahayuti leadership to wrap up the negotiations within the next couple of days. A swift conclusion is essential to announce the final seat-sharing arrangement and formally kickstart the nomination process for all 227 wards in the high-stakes BMC election.
