The political focus in Mumbai has shifted sharply after the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a decisive victory in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. With the numbers now settled, attention has turned to one of the most powerful and symbolic positions in urban India — the Mayor of Mumbai. The key question dominating political discussions is whether the post will go to the Bharatiya Janata Party or Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena.
The BJP and its allies crossed the crucial majority mark in the 227-member BMC, winning 118 seats against the required 114. This clear mandate ensures that the next mayor will emerge from the ruling alliance. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had already hinted at the ideological direction of the choice when he stated ahead of the polls that Mumbai would get a mayor who is both Hindu and Marathi.
Despite the alliance’s comfortable victory, discussions are ongoing regarding power-sharing. The BJP, as the single largest party, is widely seen as the frontrunner to claim the mayor’s chair. However, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena is also staking its claim, citing alliance balance and its long-standing influence in Mumbai’s civic politics. Senior leaders from both parties are believed to be in talks to arrive at a consensus.
Several names have surfaced as potential candidates. From the BJP, Makarand Narwekar, who won from Cuffe Parade, is seen as a strong contender, along with Yogita Sunil Koli from Malad West, first-time councillor Navnath Ban from Mankhurd, and Tejasvee Abhishek Ghosalkar from Dahisar. On the Shiv Sena side, Ankit Prabhu, son of former Mumbai mayor Sunil Prabhu, is reportedly under consideration by the party leadership.
However, the final decision cannot be taken immediately. The mayor’s post in Mumbai is reserved on a rotational basis across categories such as General, Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, and women. The reservation category is decided through a lottery conducted by the state’s Urban Development Department, making it impossible to finalize a candidate before this process is completed.
Sources indicate that Mumbai is likely to get its new mayor only after January 26. The formal election process is expected to begin next week, once Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis returns from the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner will officially announce the election schedule once procedural formalities are completed.
The process of electing the Mumbai mayor differs from cities like Delhi, where separate mayoral elections are held. In Mumbai, the mayor is elected from among the elected councillors. Once a party or alliance secures a majority, it nominates its candidate, and the election is conducted within the Municipal Corporation, similar to how chief ministers or the prime minister are elected.
While the mayor’s role is often described as ceremonial, it carries significant civic and symbolic authority. The mayor is regarded as the First Citizen of Mumbai and presides over the meetings of the Municipal Corporation. The position holds prominence at civic, governmental, and social functions and represents the city during official receptions and international engagements. The mayor’s tenure lasts two and a half years.
Control of the BMC is politically crucial, given that it is India’s richest civic body with a record budget of ₹74,427 crore for 2025–26. The corporation oversees key sectors such as infrastructure, public health, education, roads, and disaster management, making the mayor’s office a strategic centre of urban governance.
The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance has also dominated civic polls across Maharashtra, positioning itself to control 25 of the state’s 29 municipal corporations. Statewide results show the BJP winning 1,400 seats, while its ally Shiv Sena secured 397 seats. Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and other parties trailed significantly behind.
As Mumbai awaits clarity, the final outcome will depend on the reservation draw and alliance negotiations. Whether the BJP consolidates its dominance or shares the spotlight with its ally, the appointment of the new mayor will mark the beginning of a new chapter in Mumbai’s civic and political landscape.