Resort Politics Returns as Shinde Moves Sena Corporators Amid BMC Power Play

www.mangaloretoday.com

Mumbai, Jan 18, 2026: Resort politics has resurfaced in Maharashtra with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena shifting its elected representatives from Mumbai to a five-star hotel, a day after the party emerged as a kingmaker in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.

Sources said the move is driven by two key considerations — apprehensions of poaching and defections, and a strategic bid to strengthen the party’s bargaining position within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.

The BJP–Shinde Sena combine has secured a clear majority in the 227-member BMC, ending the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena’s 25-year control of the country’s richest civic body. However, neither ally has a majority on its own, adding to political uncertainty.

According to sources, the Shinde camp is factoring in a scenario where Opposition parties could attempt to unite. In such a case, the Opposition would require just eight more corporators to cross the halfway mark of 114 and stake claim to the BMC.

The BJP has won 89 wards, while Shinde’s Sena secured 29, taking the alliance tally to 118. Ajit Pawar-led NCP, which contested alone despite being part of the Mahayuti, won three seats.

On the Opposition side, Shiv Sena (UBT), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and NCP (Sharad Pawar) together have 72 corporators, with Sena (UBT) winning 65 seats, MNS six and NCP (SP) one. Congress won 24 seats, AIMIM eight and the Samajwadi Party two, taking the combined Opposition strength to 106 — just eight short of a majority.

This arithmetic has fuelled fears of horse-trading and defections, prompting the Shinde Sena to keep its corporators together, sources said.

The hotel move is also being viewed as an attempt by Shinde to assert leverage over the BJP, particularly over the mayor’s post. Despite being the junior partner, the Shinde camp is keen that a Shiv Sena corporator gets the prestigious position, traditionally held by the Sena.

Sources said Shinde is under pressure from within the party not to concede the mayor’s post, with several corporators insisting that the Sena retain its long-standing influence in the BMC, where the united Shiv Sena had ruled for over two decades before the BJP’s recent surge.