In a significant political development ahead of the Mumbai civic elections, the Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde finalised its seat-sharing arrangement with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and swiftly moved to distribute official AB nomination forms to its candidates. The distribution occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, following late-night negotiations that concluded on Monday.
Seat-Sharing Formula and Last-Minute Allocations
After a week of intense negotiations, the two allies settled on a 90-137 seat-sharing formula, with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena contesting 90 wards and the BJP contesting 137. Until late Monday, Sena functionaries indicated disputes over approximately 14 seats, placing the onus on the BJP, as the larger alliance partner, to ensure inclusivity. Political observers noted that Deputy CM Eknath Shinde ultimately held sway, securing what is being termed a "respectable" number of seats for his party.
The party prioritized distributing AB forms to former corporators who left the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and have been aligned with Shinde since the party split in 2022. However, not all could be accommodated in their previous wards, as some seats were allocated to the BJP under the pact. The finalisation prompted a last-minute political realignment, with some former Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) corporators, who were denied tickets from their original parties, switching allegiance to the Shinde camp on Monday night or Tuesday morning to secure nominations.
Key Candidates and Defections
Several prominent names were among those who received the AB forms and filed their nominations. These include Yamini Jadhav from Ward No. 209 and Amey Ghole from Ward No. 178. Ghole expressed his pride on social media platform X, stating, "I am proud to receive the honour of receiving the first official candidacy form Mumbai on behalf of Shiv Sena. I will continue to work with unwavering dedication for Wadala and Dadar (East)... People's trust — oath of service."
A notable defection occurred in Dadar (West), where former Sena (UBT) corporator Priti Patankar joined the Shinde-led Sena after the MNS fielded Yashwant Killedar from Ward No. 192, a seat that went to the MNS. Patankar subsequently received an AB form from the Shinde Sena and filed her nomination. This move, however, has caused discontent among supporters of former MLA Sada Sarvankar in the same ward, who were advocating for party functionary Kunal Wadekar.
Other candidates who secured tickets include Aditi Khursange (Ward No. 11), Parameshwar Kadam (Ward No. 133), Pushpa Koli (Wadala), Ashwini Hande (Bhatwadi-Ghatkopar), and Rajul Patel (Jogeshwari).
Political Implications and Alliance Dynamics
The swift distribution of forms underscores the Shinde faction's focus on consolidating its base with loyalists from the 2022 rebellion. The seat-sharing deal, arriving after prolonged talks, aims to present a united front against the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, particularly the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). The ability of the Shinde camp to absorb last-minute defectors from rival factions highlights the fluid and competitive nature of Mumbai's civic politics.
The final agreement, where the BJP contests more seats, reflects the current power balance within the ruling Mahayuti alliance at the state level. However, Shinde's success in negotiating a substantial quota for his party is seen as crucial for maintaining the faction's morale and political relevance in the crucial financial capital. All eyes are now on the nomination process and the ensuing campaign for the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections.
