After moving his party's winning corporators to a hotel, Eknath Shinde has demanded that the BJP share the Mayor's chair with his party, a report said. Shiv Sena (Shinde) wants half of the Mayor's tenure—i.e. 2.5 years—of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to be awarded to one of his partymen instead of the BJP occupying it for the entirety.
The alliance of the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde) won a clear majority in the 227-member Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation on Friday, securing 89 and 29 seats, respectively. The Shiv Sena (UBT) finished as the second-largest party with 65 seats, landing a major blow to the Shinde camp.
Sources say that the Shiv Sena's demand for the mayor’s post could change equations within the Mahayuti completely. All winners from Shinde's party are currently staying at Taj Lands End, and it is learnt that they will remain there for the next three days, TV9 Marathi said in a report. As per news agency PTI, a senior leader of Shinde's party had earlier confirmed that the corporators were being moved to a luxury hotel in Bandra so that they can "refresh" themselves after a hectic election season. Another party functionary said the corporators would undergo "orientation" and will be housed in the hotel for a couple of days.
For the first time, a BJP mayor is set to take charge of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. However, a major twist appears likely before that happens. It will be interesting to see whether the BJP accepts Eknath Shinde’s demand.
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Meanwhile, local media reports said that Shinde's priority is to ensure that none of his victors are poached by the BJP, which could weaken his position at the negotiation table. The BJP maintains that the mayor will be from its party for all five years, TV9 Marathi said. At the hotel, senior leaders of the party are educating the corporators on how to function in the House, which issues should be raised, and what the Shiv Sena’s role in the Mahayuti alliance will be, the report added.
Meanwhile, Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said the opposition has a sizeable number of corporators. "We can topple them from the chair anytime, but we respect democracy," he said. Uddhav Thackeray had said that his party could have its Mayor if "Dev" (God) was willing. He had also suggested that Shinde's party was scared of poaching attempts by its ally, the BJP.
