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Mumbai BMC Polls: 32 Seats Set for Direct BJP vs Thackeray Alliance Battle

Around 32 BMC constituencies are poised for a direct fight between the BJP-Shinde Sena alliance and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS combine. This follows the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi's decision to contest only 5 of 21 allotted seats, ceding 16 back to the Congress and preventing a split in the anti-BJP vote. Both the Congress and VBA have publicly rejected any rift, claiming coordination remains smooth. The final electoral landscape will solidify after the scrutiny of nomination papers for the January 15 elections.

Key Points: BMC Polls: 32 Mumbai Seats Direct BJP-Sena vs Sena(UBT)-MNS Fight

  • VBA cedes 16 seats to Congress
  • Anti-BJP vote consolidation in 32 seats
  • Alliances dismiss reports of rift
  • Final picture after nomination scrutiny
3 min read

Close contest likely in 32 BMC seats between BJP-Sena alliance, Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS combine

32 BMC seats to see direct contest as VBA cedes 16 seats to Congress, preventing anti-BJP vote split. Key battlegrounds ahead of Jan 15 polls.

"This could benefit the Thackerays, as there will be no split in the anti-BJP vote in these seats. - Shiv Sena (UBT) leader"

Mumbai, Dec 31

Around 32 seats out of the 227 seats of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation are expected to witness a direct contest between the BJP-Shinde-led Shiv Sena alliance and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena combine, as no strong third-front candidates are likely to be in the fray in these constituencies.

According to sources, the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) faced difficulties in finalising candidates for 21 of the 62 seats allotted to it by the Congress under the seat-sharing arrangement in Mumbai. Party sources said the VBA did not want to field weak candidates merely to fill slots, while in some constituencies, candidates faced issues related to incomplete documentation.

In view of these constraints, the VBA informed the Congress on Tuesday morning that it would contest only five of those 21 seats, leaving the Congress free to allot tickets to its candidates in the remaining 16 constituencies. The Congress has so far officially announced 143 candidates in Mumbai. With the VBA contesting 46 seats and six seats allotted to other allies such as Left parties and the Rashtriya Samaj Party (RSP), the Congress-led alliance is in the fray in 195 seats.

As a result, the remaining 32 seats are not expected to see a division of anti-BJP votes. "This could benefit the Thackerays, as there will be no split in the anti-BJP vote in these seats," said a senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader. He, however, added that the final picture would become clearer only after the scrutiny of nomination papers.

Meanwhile, both the Congress and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi on Wednesday rejected reports of a rift within the alliance in Mumbai following speculation over the 16 seats from the VBA's quota where it is not contesting. Mumbai Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said there was no discord between the allies. "Ever since the announcement of our alliance, the ruling side has been losing ground. There is absolutely no dispute between us. Our workers and leaders are in constant communication without any glitch," he said.

The VBA also dismissed the reports. Party spokesperson Siddharth Mokle said the claims were being spread by ruling parties. "The Congress was informed well in advance that the VBA would not contest in those 16 seats. The Congress took appropriate action, and once the scrutiny of nominations is over, the reality will be clear to everyone," he said.

In the BMC elections scheduled for January 15, the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena are contesting 137 and 90 seats respectively. On the other side, the Shiv Sena (UBT) is contesting 163 seats, the MNS 53 seats and the NCP (SP) 11 seats.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
As a Mumbaikar, all I want is a stable corporation that focuses on our issues: potholes, water supply, and clean streets. This constant splitting and re-forming of alliances is exhausting. Just tell us what your plan is for the city!
S
Sachin B
The arithmetic is clear now. No third front means a straight fight in these seats. This definitely helps Uddhav Thackeray's alliance. The BJP-Shinde combine will have to work extra hard here. Interesting to see MNS in the mix with Thackeray after all these years!
A
Anjali F
While the strategy makes sense, I have a respectful criticism. This last-minute seat adjustment and the public "dismissal of rift" reports show a lack of perfect coordination. The alliance needs to present a more united front to inspire confidence in voters.
V
Vikram M
BMC elections are always about local issues. The national party narratives matter less here. Who will get the garbage collected on time? That's what we vote for. Hope the candidates remember that.
K
Kavya N
The real story is the candidate selection. "Incomplete documentation" is a polite way of putting it. Parties must be more diligent. Our city deserves representatives who have their papers in order, bas.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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