Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena moves its newly elected BMC corporators to a luxury hotel amid speculation over the Mumbai Mayor’s post.

Political suspense intensified in Mumbai on January 17 after the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde relocated its newly elected Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) corporators to a luxury hotel in the city. The move comes as negotiations and speculation swirl over who will claim the powerful Mayor’s post.

Party leaders said the corporators were shifted to a five-star hotel in Bandra for rest and orientation following an intense election campaign. Another functionary said the group would remain there for a couple of days as part of internal coordination efforts.

The development triggered sharp reactions from the rival Shiv Sena (UBT), which emerged as the second-largest single party in the civic polls. Party chief Uddhav Thackeray suggested that his faction could still stake claim to the Mayor’s position, remarking that it would happen if “Dev” was willing—a comment that added to the political buzz.

The BJP–Shinde Sena alliance secured a majority in the 227-member BMC, with the BJP winning 89 seats and the Shinde-led Sena 29, while Sena (UBT) bagged 65 seats. Thackeray also hinted that the hotel move reflected fears of poaching by alliance partners, pointing to the 2022 split in the undivided Shiv Sena.

Responding with sarcasm, Devendra Fadnavis quipped whether Thackeray’s reference to “Dev” meant him or a higher power, adding that the verdict favoured a Mahayuti Mayor. Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut countered by claiming the opposition had enough numbers to challenge the ruling side if needed, though it would respect democratic processes.

Other parties also made their presence felt, with AIMIM winning eight seats, the Congress–VBA alliance securing 24, and smaller parties sharing the remainder.

Shifting corporators to hotels has become a familiar tactic in Maharashtra politics, reflecting persistent anxieties over loyalty in tightly contested power equations. While the ruling alliance appears numerically secure, the Mayor’s race shows how fragile post-poll alignments can be. For Mumbai, the outcome will shape control over one of India’s richest civic bodies, where governance often matters as much as political symbolism.