Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Saturday, announced that the BJP will not contest upcoming mayoral elections in Mumbai, thereby paving way for Shiv Sena to have its mayor in Mumbai.
In a statement made after BJP's core committee meeting, Fadnavis said that the party will not field its candidate in the mayoral polls on March 8. The party, he said, will not contest other posts like deputy mayor or standing committee chairman, dropping a broad hint that BJP did not wish to strain its ties with Shiv Sena any further.
Fadnavis said that the BJP will preform the role of 'guardians of transparency' and not the opposition, in the BMC. The chief minister also made it clear that if the need arises his party will support Shiv Sena and will not vote for any other party.
"BJP had the option of contesting the elections but it would have meant us seeking support from parties which do not share our ideology. So the core committee felt that it was better not to contest mayoral elections," said a BJP leader.