Overview
- At a late-night meeting, BJP leaders told Eknath Shinde they will not concede either the Mumbai mayoralty or the BMC standing committee chair.
- The state has notified the mayoral reservation lottery for Jan. 22, with the mayoral election likely around Jan. 31, according to officials and party sources.
- The Mahayuti holds a narrow 118-seat majority in the 227-member house (BJP 89, Shinde-led Shiv Sena 29), leaving little room for defections.
- Shinde housed his 29 corporators at a Bandra hotel described as an orientation and said a Mahayuti mayor will be elected, as BJP instructed its 89 corporators to remain in Mumbai.
- Talks between the allies are set to resume Tuesday, while the opposition warns of poaching and Congress alleges pressure tactics and counting irregularities in the polls.