BMC polls: Shiv Sena demands a 90–100 seat share while Mahayuti leaders continue crucial seat-sharing discussions

by Webdesk
10 Dec 2025

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena has placed a strong demand for 90 to 100 seats out of the total 227 for the upcoming BMC elections, revealed BJP’s state election in-charge Chandrashekhar Bawankule. He mentioned that in order to resolve the disagreements between Mahayuti partners, especially the BJP and Shiv Sena, a joint coordination committee will soon be formed to streamline discussions and finalise decisions for the civic polls.

A detailed meeting was held in Nagpur on Wednesday, attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, BJP state president Ravindra Chavan, and Bawankule. After the meeting, Bawankule addressed the press, stating that although the Sena has officially asked for 90–100 seats, the final seat-sharing formula will be decided only after examining all technical, political, and organisational factors. He added that a committee of four leaders each from the BJP and Shiv Sena, along with representatives from other Mahayuti allies, will sit together and evaluate the issues closely. According to him, any remaining disputes will be resolved by senior leaders through direct dialogue.

Back in 2017, the BJP had independently contested all 227 seats and secured 82—just two seats fewer than the then-undivided Shiv Sena. This time, however, the BJP will have to contest fewer seats to accommodate both the current Shiv Sena faction and the NCP, as the alliance formula requires space for all Mahayuti partners. Bawankule expressed confidence that the Mahayuti coalition will win a clear majority in the upcoming BMC elections. He also mentioned that the decision regarding who will become Mumbai’s next mayor will be taken collectively by Fadnavis, Shinde, and NCP leader Ajit Pawar after reviewing the election results.

In recent comments, Fadnavis has already clarified that the BJP will not insist on holding the mayor’s post, even if it emerges as the single largest party in the BMC. This statement was seen as an effort to further smoothen relations within the alliance.

Over the last few months, tensions between the BJP and the Shiv Sena have been rising, especially over allegations of poaching each other’s workers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The Sena has openly accused BJP state president Ravindra Chavan of first initiating the poaching of its grassroots workers. Responding to this, Bawankule insisted that despite such friction, the Mahayuti alliance remains solid and will contest both the zilla parishad and municipal corporation elections together. He reiterated the coalition’s target of securing 51% of total votes, which they believe is achievable if all allies remain united.

Bawankule added that instructions have already been issued to leaders across districts to complete the local-level alliance framework and strengthen coordination. He admitted that there may still be complications in 5–10% of the seats, where seat-sharing or worker-level conflicts may arise, but assured that in such cases, Fadnavis and Shinde will personally intervene and take the final call to avoid disruptions.

Speaking about the role of the NCP in the alliance, Bawankule stressed that Ajit Pawar is a core part of the Mahayuti and will fight the election alongside the BJP and Shiv Sena with full commitment. He clarified that during earlier local body elections, some disputes had occurred between workers of different parties at certain locations, but those were temporary and strictly related to election pressure. According to him, those misunderstandings have now been completely settled. He emphasised that the allies never had deep-rooted resentment against each other — only situational disagreements that naturally arise during local-body contests.

Overall, the message conveyed by Bawankule was that the Mahayuti is determined to present a united front in Mumbai, leaving behind internal issues and focusing instead on crafting a strong strategy for the BMC elections. The upcoming seat-sharing talks, the formation of the coordination committee, and intervention from top leaders are expected to set the stage for the final blueprint of the alliance’s campaign in the city.

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02 Jan 2026

BMC Elections

BMC polls: Shiv Sena demands a 90–100 seat share while Mahayuti leaders continue crucial seat-sharing discussions

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