BJP Eyes Mayor Post, Shinde Sena Threatens Twist

The BJP and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena are set to capture the BMC with 117 of 227 seats, ending the Thackerays’ decades-long control. BJP leads in 88 wards but needs Shinde’s 29 to govern, giving him kingmaker leverage. Shinde may demand the mayor’s post, citing Sena legacy, possibly through a 2.5-year power-sharing deal with the BJP.