Mumbai Mayor polls: Congress demands Deputy Mayor post to support Shiv Sena in polls

Ahead of lottery poll to decide Mumbai's next Mayor, sources have reported on Monday, that NCP ad Congress have extended ir support to Shiv Sena. Sources furr report that Congress has put condition that Deputy Mayor post must be given to grand old party. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor polls will be held on vember 22, where 227 Corporators will vote to decide Mumbai's next Mayor.

READ | CONFIRMED: Shiv Sena t in NCP-Congress plans for BMC Mayor polls

Current BMC numbers

Currently, Shiv Sena with 94 corporators holds sway in 227-member House, over BJP which has 81 corporators (1 disqualified). With a joint tally of 175, BJP-Shiv Sena combo is well over halfway mark of 114 corporators. Currently, NCP has 6 corporators and Congress has 30 corporators. mayor post will most probably sway towards Shiv Sena, in case BJP corporators vote against ir candidate, as it holds highest number of seats in civic body and has controlled BMC  since 1985.

READ | BMC Mayor polls: Who will head India's richest civic body, amid 'Sena-BJP' fallout?

NCP had denied Sena support

Earlier on Saturday, NCP leader Nawab Malik said that Congress-NCP alliance will field candidates in upcoming Mayoral elections in state and re have been talks with Shiv Sena on same. " We have t done any talks about Mayor elections with Shiv Sena yet," said Malik, without specifying about Mumbai. BMC is India's richest civic body with a budget for financial year 2019-20 as Rs 30,692 crore.

READ | Just Like That: Sanjay Raut Flaunts Newfound Sena-NCP-Cong Bond; 'Old Wounds Forgotten'

Mahayuti fallout

While BJP-Shiv Sena have t separated at civic level inspite of falling out at state-level, saffron allies are eyeing to form next government separately in Maharashtra -which is currently under President's rule. Sena-NCP-Congress is still in talks to finalise Common minimum programme to form an alliance and BJP has vowed that it will form next government. Mahayuti alliance which swept Maharashtra on October 24, winning a combined tally of 161 (BJP- 105, Sena -56), fell out with  Sena insisting an equal sharing of CM post for 2.5 years and portfolios, while BJP refused to se demands.

READ | Sanjay Raut takes 'power-hungry' jibe at former CM Fadnavis, amid Sena-NCP-Congress talks