Shiv Sena Shinde faction prepares for Mumbai civic polls, may contest solo

The Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) has begun preparations for the Mumbai civic elections, gearing up for a scenario where it may have to contest alone. The party is preparing to field candidates in all 228 seats of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections. While it is open to an alliance with the BJP, it is also strengthening its organisation to be ready for any eventuality.

So far, the Shiv Sena leadership has held 12 preparatory meetings, with five of them led by CM Eknath Shinde's son and Kalyan MP, Shrikant.

In the 2017 Mumbai civic polls, the BJP won 82 seats, while the undivided Shiv Sena secured 84. Following the 2022 split, around 50 former corporators have joined the Shinde camp.


The Sena's decision to contest all 228 seats poses a challenge for the BJP, which aims to be the single-largest party in the BMC. This move is seen as a pressure tactic to push the BJP into conceding an equal number of seats, or else the Sena may go solo.

"We believe we have six months before the Mumbai civic polls and are going all out to build the organisation. We don't want to play second fiddle to the BJP in Mumbai. The Shiv Sena has always ruled the BMC, and we intend for it to remain that way...," a Shiv Sena leader said.

The BJP is aware of the Sena's tough stance on seat-sharing and has been sending its own signals. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, fueling speculation that the two parties could align for the Mumbai civic elections.