The ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra has suffered a significant setback in Navi Mumbai, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde deciding to contest the upcoming civic polls independently. The split became public late on Monday night, December 30, 2025, after last-ditch seat-sharing negotiations for the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) collapsed.
Alliance Holds in Major Cities, Cracks in Navi Mumbai
This development stands in stark contrast to the successful alliance finalizations for other major municipal corporations. The BJP and Shinde's Sena have sealed seat-sharing pacts for Mumbai, Thane, and Vasai-Virar. However, the partnership failed to materialize for the crucial NMMC elections, indicating localized friction and competing ambitions.
Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske confirmed the breakdown, stating, "We will be contesting all seats in Navi Mumbai." He was quick to add that the alliance with the BJP remains intact for the Thane civic polls, suggesting the Navi Mumbai split is a strategic divergence rather than a complete rupture of the coalition.
Swift Action in Mumbai Following Pact
Even as the Navi Mumbai talks faltered, the alliance machinery moved rapidly in Mumbai after finalizing a 90-137 seat-sharing formula (Sena-BJP). The Shinde-led Sena distributed AB forms to all its 90 candidates overnight, enabling them to file nominations immediately on Tuesday.
The party prioritized former corporators who had defected from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) after the 2022 split. Notable candidates who received the forms include Yamini Jadhav (Ward 209) and Amey Ghole (Ward 178). Ghole, in a social media post, pledged to work for his constituency with greater responsibility.
Other prominent candidates finalized by the Shinde Sena are Dr. Aditi Khursange, Parameshwar Kadam, Pushpa Koli, Ashwini Hande, and Rajul Patel. In some wards, however, Sena aspirants were disappointed as those seats were allocated to the BJP as per the agreement.
Ripple Effects and Opposition Moves
The alliance troubles extended beyond the Shinde Sena. The Republican Party of India (Athawale), a BJP ally, also announced it would contest the BMC elections independently after failing to secure seats within the Mahayuti quota. Union Minister of State Ramdas Athawale stated his party would field candidates in 38 seats unless the BJP ceded 12 from its share.
On the opposition front, while no formal alliance was declared, the Shiv Sena (UBT), the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), and the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) have coordinated a seat-sharing arrangement. As per this understanding, the Sena (UBT) will contest approximately 165 seats, the MNS 52, and the NCP (SP) 10. The MNS also expedited the process, distributing AB forms on Monday night for Tuesday's nominations.
The failure of the alliance in Navi Mumbai sets the stage for a high-stakes triangular contest in the corporation, with the BJP, Shinde Sena, and the opposition bloc vying for control. This independent fight could potentially split the ruling coalition's vote share, making the NMMC polls one of the most closely watched battles in the state.
