Mumbai, Dec 29 (NationPress) After extensive negotiations, the BJP and Shiv Sena have successfully established a seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Out of a total of 227 seats, the BJP, taking the lead as the senior partner, will contest 137 seats, while the Shiv Sena will run candidates for the remaining 90 seats.

Additionally, both parties plan to allocate certain seats from their quotas to their respective allies. Candidates from both the BJP and Shiv Sena are set to submit their nomination papers on Tuesday, which marks the final day for nominations.

Notably, the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is not included in this alliance and has opted to contest the BMC elections on its own.

This seat-sharing deal was publicly announced by Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam alongside Shiv Sena former MP Rahul Shewale.

“Today, we concluded negotiations regarding seat allocation among the BJP, Shiv Sena, and RPI. A consensus had already been formed on 207 seats, and the final arrangements for the remaining seats have now been established. The BJP will contest 137 seats, while the Shiv Sena will handle 90 seats, with allies of both parties being accommodated within their designated quotas,” Satam stated.

He further mentioned that the two parties would engage in a collaborative campaign, aiming to maintain their control over the BMC. “With the support of the voters, the Mahayuti mayor, who will represent the residents of Mumbai, will take office following the elections,” Satam added.

Satam emphasized that there were no issues concerning ticket distribution among their allies as decisions were made after thorough consultations. “We reached a consensus after comprehensive discussions,” he stated.

This announcement regarding seat-sharing comes in light of the recent decision by Uddhav Thackeray, leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), and Raj Thackeray, president of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), to form an alliance for the BMC elections, aiming to counteract the BJP-led Mahayuti and position themselves as defenders of Marathi interests in Mumbai.

Both the BJP and Shiv Sena have downplayed the alliance between the Thackeray cousins, asserting that it is motivated by political necessity, while the BJP-led Mahayuti remains steadfast in its commitment to Mumbai's development.

Previously, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had indicated that there were no obstacles in the alliance between the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena for the forthcoming municipal corporation elections, noting that discussions regarding seat-sharing were progressing positively.

Responding to inquiries about the Mahayuti’s seat-sharing strategy, Fadnavis remarked, “Negotiations on seat distribution are highly positive. An alliance is certain to materialize, with no expected challenges.”

He added that BJP State President Ravindra Chavan is at the forefront of these negotiations, supported by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, senior leader Ashish Shelar, and key local leaders from municipal areas.