Is mayoral race sparking power tussle within Mahayuti? Why BJP is 'unhappy' even after sweeping BMC polls

With the mayoral race gaining momentum, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena appears to be tightening its grip on the post, fueling speculation of a rift within the Mahayuti alliance. The party, on Saturday, moved its 29 newly elected Mumbai corporators to the Taj Land's End in Bandra, fueling talks of a power struggle between the BJP and Shiv Sena.  

Also, even after Mahayuti sweeping the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the BJP seems 'unhappy' with the party's performance. Setting a record, the BJP won 89 seats--the highest tally any party has secured on its own since the 2022 civic polls.  

Reportedly, the party is reviewing its performance as the target was to win at least 110 seats to get the majority. 

Also, there are rumours that the BJP is not quite happy with the seat-sharing with Shiv Sena. Shinde has negotiated aggressively and secured 91 seats for his party, leaving the BJP with 137 instead of the 155 seats they had planned initially. 

BJP was forced to reduce its seats to 110, but managed to win only 89. They planned to win 120-125 seats from the 155 seats they desired to contest.  

After the BMC results, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, reportedly, conveyed his displeasure to the Mumbai unit over the party's inability to convert its momentum into a bigger win. BJP also believes that the Thackeray brothers' appeal to woo Marathi voters made a measurable impact.

BJP state leaders also flagged the weak coordination between alliance partners. The displeasure of the seat-sharing with the Shinde faction was reflected in the campaigning in many seats. 

BJP had won a majority on its own in 14 municipal corporations, including Pune, Nagpur and Nashik. While the Shiv Sena, led by Shinde, secured 29 seats.  

Now, all eyes are on the mayor's seat, as during the poll campaign, Fadnavis said that the BJP leaders had announced that the mayor would be "from the Mahayuti alliance".