BJP–Shiv Sena Seat War Heats Up: Sena Demands 90–100 Seats, BJP Targets 135–140 Ahead of BMC Polls

Mumbai: The internal strain within the Mahayuti alliance is becoming increasingly visible as the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena enter a heated negotiation phase over seat sharing for the upcoming 2026 Mumbai BMC elections. Both parties, determined to assert dominance in India’s richest municipal corporation, have adopted firm positions that reflect their growing confidence and political ambitions.

The Shiv Sena, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, is pressing for 90 to 100 seats, claiming that the party’s decades-old organisational base across Mumbai remains intact and continues to command loyalty. Sena leaders highlight their established network in areas such as Mahalaxmi, Dadar, Wadala, Andheri, and the eastern suburbs, insisting that these strongholds justify the party’s demand for a large share of seats.

The BJP, however, is preparing for an aggressive electoral push and is aiming to contest 135 to 140 seats. Party leadership believes that its rising influence in Mumbai—combined with the near-equal performance against the Sena in the 2017 BMC polls—gives it a stronger claim this time. With enhanced cadre strength and expanding urban support, the BJP is signalling that it will not settle for a smaller share.

Across Maharashtra’s municipal landscape, the alliance is shaping different strategies. In Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, and Kalyan-Dombivli, the BJP and Shiv Sena intend to contest together under the Mahayuti banner. Meanwhile, in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, the BJP and Ajit Pawar-led NCP will fight independently to ensure that local party workers receive opportunities and that internal competition does not escalate into rebellion.

One major unresolved area remains the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, where discussions have not yet resulted in a seat-sharing plan.

A crucial meeting in Nagpur brought together Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, BJP state president Ravindra Chavan, and senior BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule. After the meeting, it was stated that while the Sena’s demand for 90 to 100 seats has been acknowledged, a final decision will follow a detailed assessment of organisational data and ground realities. A joint committee with representatives from both parties will continue the discussion, while senior leaders are prepared to step in if disagreements arise.