The forthcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections hold profound political significance, not only for Mumbai but for the larger landscape of Maharashtra. As the richest municipal body in India, the BMC has long been a stronghold of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, now known as the Shiv Sena (UBT). However, the political equation has undergone a dramatic transformation following the split within the party and the emergence of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). With the electoral battle drawing closer, the contest for control over the BMC is intensifying, particularly as the Shiv Sena (UBT) grapples with internal turmoil and a growing exodus of leaders.
The recent defection of several prominent leaders from the Uddhav Thackeray faction to the Shinde camp has further exacerbated the crisis within the party. In an effort to stem the tide of desertions, Uddhav Thackeray convened a crucial meeting of party MLAs and MPs to reinforce unity and counter the alleged ‘Operation Tiger’—a targeted strategy by the ruling alliance to weaken the Thackeray-led faction. The ruling Shiv Sena, under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has been systematically luring leaders away from the UBT faction. Recently, multiple office-bearers from the Konkan region, along with key leaders like Rajan Salvi and former MLA Subhash Bane, switched allegiance to Shinde’s faction. Adding to the turmoil, Chiplun MLA Bhaskar Jadhav has expressed dissatisfaction, fueling speculation that he, too, may defect. The erosion of leadership within the Shiv Sena (UBT) poses a direct challenge to Thackeray’s ability to retain control over the BMC, making the upcoming elections a decisive test of his political relevance.
Amid these developments, internal party discipline has emerged as a focal point of concern. Aaditya Thackeray, during the ongoing Budget Session in Delhi, issued strict directives to party MPs, warning them against attending any events organized by the Shinde-led Shiv Sena without prior approval from the UBT leadership. This move, however, has reportedly caused discontent among certain party members. Meanwhile, delays in ‘Operation Tiger’ in Pune have momentarily stalled the entry of several former MLAs and over 20 municipal corporators into the ruling alliance. Despite these temporary setbacks, the overall trend of defections remains a significant cause for worry within Thackeray’s camp.
The administrative control of the BMC has been in limbo for the past two and a half years, with an administrator overseeing its functioning. The legal battle over the municipal ward structure adds another layer of complexity. The Eknath Shinde-led government’s decision to reduce the number of wards in the BMC from 236 to 227 through an ordinance is currently under judicial scrutiny. Additionally, the Supreme Court is deliberating on key matters concerning the number of councillors per ward in urban and rural bodies, as well as determining whether the state government or the Election Commission should hold the authority to decide ward delimitation. Even if the court delivers a verdict soon, officials estimate that it could take at least three more months to finalize preparations and conduct the polls. With municipal elections pending not just for the BMC but also for 29 municipal corporations and approximately 280 nagar parishads and nagar panchayats across the state, Maharashtra’s civic electoral landscape remains uncertain.
In response to the political crisis, Uddhav Thackeray’s faction is adopting a multi-pronged strategy to mitigate damage and consolidate its base. Senior leaders, including deputy leaders and secretaries, have been entrusted with critical responsibilities aimed at preventing further defections and maintaining organizational stability. A special core group of 14 senior leaders—including Subhash Desai, Diwakar Raote, Aaditya Thackeray, Anant Geete, Sanjay Raut, Chandrakant Khaire, Bhaskar Jadhav, Vinayak Raut, Anil Desai, Anil Parab, Arvind Sawant, Ambadas Danve, Rajan Vichare, and Sunil Prabhu—will meet weekly to assess developments and formulate strategic responses. Additionally, statewide outreach programs have been initiated, with key party leaders engaging with the grassroots cadre to address grievances and strengthen party loyalty.
Disciplinary measures are also being reinforced to curb internal dissent. Those found engaging in anti-party activities while still being part of the Shiv Sena (UBT) will face strict action. Thackeray’s faction currently boasts 14 senior leaders, 43 deputy leaders, and 10 secretaries, all of whom are tasked with fortifying the party’s structural integrity across Maharashtra. As part of its damage control exercise, the party has also initiated weekly review meetings every Tuesday at Sena Bhavan, where regional and district-level leaders will report on the ground situation and devise necessary countermeasures.
Despite these efforts, the challenge remains formidable. The exodus of leaders continues to weaken Thackeray’s faction, and the looming municipal elections will be a crucial test of its ability to retain the reins of the BMC. With the Mahayuti alliance aggressively working to expand its footprint in Mumbai’s civic governance, the battle for the BMC is poised to be one of the most consequential political showdowns in recent times. The elections will not only determine control over Mumbai’s municipal administration but will also serve as a barometer for the shifting political dynamics in Maharashtra. The coming months will reveal whether Uddhav Thackeray’s strategic interventions can arrest the wave of defections or if the Mahayuti’s relentless consolidation will ultimately reshape the city’s political future.
