Will Uddhav Thackeray Face Another Political Setback in Mumbai’s BMC?
Mumbai , June 19 : Mumbai’s political storm is no longer limited to Parliament. After the recent rebellion within Uddhav Thackeray’s camp, fresh speculation is now rising over possible defections in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation — the city’s most powerful civic body.
The buzz grew stronger after Kiran Landge claimed that several corporators from the Shiv Sena (UBT) are in touch with the faction led by Eknath Shinde. According to him, talks are ongoing with nearly 30 to 42 leaders, though no proof has been publicly shared yet.
At present, Uddhav’s faction holds 64 corporators in the BMC, making it the second-largest bloc after the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has 89 seats. The Shinde-led Shiv Sena currently stands third with 29 corporators.
For decades, the BMC has been the backbone of Shiv Sena’s power in Mumbai. It was not just a civic body, but a symbol of the party’s dominance in the city. Even after the dramatic split in 2022, both Uddhav and Shinde have treated control of Mumbai’s civic body as the ultimate political prize.
The term “Operation Tiger” has become a major talking point after six MPs from Uddhav’s faction reportedly switched sides to support Shinde’s camp. This move was seen by Shinde supporters as proof that many leaders are now leaning towards the ruling alliance. However, Team Uddhav has strongly alleged that pressure tactics, threats, and money power are being used to engineer these defections.
Adding fuel to the fire, BJP leader Ganesh Khankar recently hinted that more UBT members may join the ruling side soon. He claimed many leaders are uncertain about their future and are in touch with Mahayuti leaders.
But the Thackeray camp has pushed back hard. Senior UBT leader Kishori Pednekar said the party is aware of these attempts and insisted the organisation remains strong. She accused rivals of trying to create panic and influence public perception.
The timing is crucial. After the 2026 BMC elections, the Mahayuti alliance has already strengthened its hold over Mumbai politics. If Shinde succeeds in pulling more corporators into his camp, it would not only boost his numbers but also strengthen his claim as the true political heir of the Shiv Sena legacy.
For now, it remains a battle of numbers, loyalty, and perception. Parliament may have been the first stage of this fight, but Mumbai’s civic body could become the next major battlefield — one that may decide the future of the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
