Eknath Shinde<\/a>-led Shiv Sena faction is seeking a two-and-a-half-year power-sharing arrangement despite the BJP emerging as the single largest party.<\/p>\nThe BJP secured 89 seats in the BMC elections and has staked a strong claim to the Mayor\u2019s post.Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said the Mayor will be from the BJP. However, reports of a proposed rotational formula have added complexity to the ongoing talks within the alliance. News18 Hindi cited sources as indicating that the Shinde camp is keen to maintain unity as discussions continue.<\/p>\n
In the opposition camp, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has alleged that councillors from the Shinde faction have been confined to prevent defections, a charge the Shinde group has denied, describing the arrangement as a \u201ctraining camp” for newly elected representatives.<\/p>\n
The situation presents a balancing act for BJP-Shinde Mahayuti. While a refusal to consider the rotation proposal could test alliance cohesion, accepting it could blunt the BJP\u2019s electoral advantage as the largest party in the civic body. Political observers say clarity is likely only after Fadnavis returns from the World Economic Forum in Davos and alliance leaders hold formal consultations.<\/p>\n
Raut\u2019s Backhanded Compliment For Fadnavis<\/h2>\n
Amid the ongoing negotiations, Sanjay Raut\u2019s recent comments have added a fresh political dimension. In a social media post, Raut praised Fadnavis\u2019s engagement with global investors in Davos and compared his reception to the international standing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting the BJP leader could be moving towards a larger national role in Delhi.<\/p>\n
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