BMC Mayor Election Postponed to February First Week Amid Technical Delays
The election for the mayor of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is now expected to take place in the first week of February 2026, marking a slight delay from initial expectations. This postponement stems from procedural requirements that the ruling parties have yet to complete, specifically the registration of their councillors and political groups.
Technicalities Behind the Delay
Following the BMC elections held on January 15, with results announced on January 16, the mandatory process of registering political parties remains incomplete. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which secured 89 councillors, and the Shiv Sena, with 29 councillors, have not yet registered their respective groups. The BJP is set to initiate its registration process on January 27.
Sources within the BJP indicate that there is no urgency, as the party is confident in its numerical strength. "We are not in a hurry as we have the numbers," a highly placed BJP source stated. "It is a foregone conclusion that the mayor will be from the Mahayuti alliance. However, discussions are ongoing regarding whether the BJP and Shiv Sena should register separately or as a unified Mahayuti bloc."
Fadnavis's Arrival to Accelerate Proceedings
With Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis scheduled to arrive in Mumbai late Saturday night, the pace of the BMC mayor election and related power-sharing negotiations is expected to pick up. The BJP plans to convene a core committee meeting and engage in dialogue with Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde.
The lottery draw for the mayoral post reservation was completed on January 22, confirming that Mumbai will have a woman mayor from the general category this time. This decision aligns with broader political strategies and demographic considerations.
Political Dynamics and Strategic Considerations
BJP insiders emphasize that the party will not compromise on key positions such as the BMC mayor and standing committee. However, they appear willing to concede the Improvements and BEST committee to their alliance partner, Shiv Sena. This approach is partly driven by the presence of an aggressive Opposition, comprising:
- 65 Shiv Sena (UBT) councillors
- 24 Congress corporators
- 6 Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) members
BJP leaders believe that maintaining a united front with Shinde is crucial to counter this opposition effectively. Speaking from Davos, where he attended the World Economic Forum, Fadnavis addressed the speculation, saying, "All these speculations and theories on BMC mayor will come to an end once I return to Mumbai. We have no differences. Everything will get resolved amicably."
Broader Political Context and Timeline
Sources from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) note that the BJP has shifted focus to the upcoming zilla parishad elections following the BMC polls. Party leaders and workers are currently engaged in campaign activities for these elections, scheduled for February 5, covering 12 zilla parishads and 125 panchayat samitis.
It is important to highlight that there is no legal provision mandating the immediate appointment of a mayor after election results. As a pan-Maharashtra party, the BJP is considering multiple factors in its decision-making process. Despite the delay, the entire procedure for appointing the mayor is not anticipated to extend beyond the first week of February, ensuring a timely resolution to the political proceedings.
