BJP leader Amit Satam said the alliance plans to contest 227 seats in Mumbai, with agreement already reached on 200. Talks continue on the remaining, including thorny issues in Thane, where Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena guards its stronghold.
Polling for 29 municipal corporations, including BMC, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur, is scheduled for January 15, 2026, with counting the next day. The elections, delayed for years due to reservation disputes, cover nearly 2,870 seats and 3.48 crore voters.
Tensions flared after AIMIM leader Waris Pathan asserted that constitutional equality means anyone, including a woman in hijab or burqa, or someone named Khan or Pathan, could become Mumbai mayor one day.
Pathan questioned why only Marathi speakers are highlighted for the post. AIMIM has fielded 13 candidates so far, spanning Mumbai and other cities.
BJP's Satam hit back sharply, vowing to halt any "conspiracy" to alter Mumbai's demographics and declaring a Muslim mayor would never be allowed. Shinde faction leader Sanjay Nirupam said Marathi speakers would decide the mayor, without enmity toward any community.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced its debut in several corporations, planning candidates on up to 111 seats in Navi Mumbai, 100 in Thane, and screening for 30 in Bhiwandi-Nizampur. AAP leaders emphasised issues like roads, water, health and sanitation.
In Thane district, Shinde's Shiv Sena received over 3,300 applications, including 1,500 from women, across six corporations.
Elsewhere, Ajit Pawar's NCP held talks with Sharad Pawar's faction for possible cooperation in Pune, marking potential post-split collaboration.
A former MNS leader joined Shinde's Shiv Sena, praising the deputy chief minister as Maharashtra's true Hindutva face.
With Mahayuti buoyed by recent local body wins, the polls promise fierce multi-cornered contests blending identity, regional pride and governance records. Alliances remain fluid as nomination deadlines approach.
