BMC Mayor Lottery On Jan 22: Will Uddhav Thackeray Support Devendra Fadnavis In Mumbai Civic Body? | Mumbai-news News

Last Updated:January 19, 2026, 19:58 IST

There is buzz over Uddhav Thackeray’s Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) or UBT offering support to Devendra Fadnavis’s BJP to get a Sena mayor

Amid the speculation over whether the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) mayor post will go to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or Shinde Sena, the Urban Development Department has announced the date for the lottery for the top post in the Mumbai civic body.

Meanwhile, there is buzz over Uddhav Thackeray’s Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) or UBT offering support to Devendra Fadnavis’s BJP.

Mumbai mayor lottery

The reservation lottery for the post of mayor of 29 metropolitan municipalities in the state will be held on Thursday, January 22. This process will be held at 11 am in the Council Chamber of the Ministry. Only after the announcement of reservation, can the candidates be decided.

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So far, the reservation for the post of Mayor was decided on a rotational basis for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), women and Other Backward Classes (OBC). However, according to News18 Marathi sources, this reservation can be started in a circular manner by making a change to the rules. This means that there is a strong possibility that this cycle of reservation will start again from the ‘open category’. The idea behind the rotation is giving representation to every section. If the reservation is abandoned and started again from ‘open’, many eminent leaders can get the opportunity of the post of mayor.

Moreover, for the first time in 2026, 10 nominated corporators (increased from five in 2023) will also participate in the House, potentially influencing the outcome.

Only corporators belonging to the category picked in the lottery can file their nominations for the post. The municipal administration convenes a special meeting of the 227 elected corporators to conduct the vote. In Mumbai, voting traditionally occurs by a “show of hands” in the BMC House. A candidate must secure a simple majority (at least 114 votes) to be elected.

The mayor is elected for a term of 2.5 years. The mayor is the ceremonial head and “First Citizen” of Mumbai, but executive powers rest with the Municipal Commissioner, an IAS officer.

Which party will install mayor? Is Thackeray-Fadnavis understanding on the cards?

The alliance of BJP and Shiv Sena Shinde group has got a majority in the BMC elections. While the BJP won 89 seats, Shinde Sena group won 29 seats. Both the parties together have crossed the majority mark of 114. But currently, there is a possibility of a split between the two parties due to the hotel politics of Shinde Sena group.

Shinde has kept all his newly elected corporators at the Taj Lands End Hotel in Mumbai. There is talk that negotiations are being held to get Shinde the mayor’s post for two-and-a-half years. For this, Shinde is adopting pressure tactics.

ALSO READ | BMC Mayor Will Be From Team Fadnavis Or Shinde? BJP-Sena Mahayuti’s Plans For Mumbai

In such a situation, News18 Marathi has learnt that the Thackeray group has made a big move, showing its inclination to support the BJP from behind the scenes.

A News18 Marathi report stated that Thackeray, with 60+ corporators, is ready to support the BJP, if it goes it solo in the BMC. Sources alleged there was a discussion between Uddhav Thackeray and Devendra Fadnavis

It is reported that the Thackeray group’s corporators will be absent during the mayoral election, which would bring down the majority figure from 114 to 82. In such a situation, the BJP, with 89 corporators, can come to power alone here. There is also talk that an old Shiv Sainik of Shiv Sena may get a chance for the post of mayor.

Thackeray recently said that if God wishes, a Sena man may be installed as the mayor of Mumbai.

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