Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Shinde Claims BJP Agreed To Share Mumbai Mayor’s Post
Eknath Shinde says his Shiv Sena party will get to choose Mumbai’s mayor for part of the current term.
He says the BJP will hold the job first for two and a half years.
Then Shiv Sena would hold it for one and a quarter years.
The BJP would get the post again for the final one and a quarter years.
The BJP won more seats than Shiv Sena in the city election.
Some BJP leaders say they do not know about such an agreement.
Shiv Sena leaders say the deal was made privately by Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis.
The two parties are allies, but they disagree about whether the mayor-sharing plan has been finalized.
Eknath Shinde said the BJP agreed to share Mumbai’s mayoral post with the Shiv Sena.
Under the claimed formula, the BJP would hold the post for 2.5 years, Shiv Sena for 1.25 years, and BJP again for 1.25 years.
The BJP won 89 of 227 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation seats, while the Shinde-led Shiv Sena won 29.
BJP leaders Ashish Shelar and Nanath Ban said they were unaware of any current agreement or discussion.
Shiv Sena’s Amey Ghole said the arrangement was decided six months earlier in a private meeting between Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis.
- Who
- Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the BJP, and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena are central to the dispute; Devendra Fadnavis and other party leaders also commented.
- What
- Shinde claimed that the BJP agreed to share the Mumbai mayor’s post with Shiv Sena during the current municipal term.
- When
- The claim was reported after Shinde spoke to journalists on Thursday evening; Shiv Sena said the formula was decided six months earlier.
- Where
- The dispute concerns the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and a meeting that Shiv Sena says took place at the chief minister’s official residence, Varsha.
- Why
- Shinde said the mayoral post would be shared despite the BJP winning more BMC seats; BJP leaders disputed or questioned whether an agreement exists.
Shiv Sena’s Position
BJP Leaders’ Position
Whether an agreement exists
Shiv Sena’s Position
Shiv Sena leaders say an agreement to share the mayor’s post was already reached between Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis.
BJP Leaders’ Position
Ashish Shelar said he could not confirm the arrangement, while Nanath Ban said there was currently no discussion about the mayor’s post.
Who should receive the post
Shiv Sena’s Position
Shiv Sena says it should receive the mayor’s post for 15 months, or one and a quarter years, despite winning fewer seats.
BJP Leaders’ Position
BJP leaders emphasized that BJP’s Ritu Tawde is currently the mayor and said she is doing a good job.
Why BJP leaders may not know
Shiv Sena’s Position
Shiv Sena’s Amey Ghole said the decision was made in a private meeting attended only by Shinde and Fadnavis, so other BJP leaders may not have been informed.
BJP Leaders’ Position
BJP representatives said there had been no official announcement or ongoing discussion confirming the formula.
- BMC election year
- 2026
- BMC seats
- 227
- BJP seats
- 89
- Shiv Sena seats
- 29
- Claimed mayoral formula
- BJP for 2.5 years, Shiv Sena for 1.25 years, then BJP for 1.25 years
- Current mayor
- BJP’s Ritu Tawde