Mumbai: The incoming BMC House of 227 corporators will, for the first time, see the appointment of 10 nominated corporators, doubling the number from the existing 5.So far, the 227-member civic house saw only 5 nominated corporators, with the party commanding the highest strength getting to nominate a larger share than others. This time, with the BJP emerging as the single largest party with 89 of its corporators getting elected, it is likely to secure the maximum number of nominations, up to 4, mostly said civic sources.
The remaining nominated seats are expected to be shared among UBT-led Shiv Sena–MNS, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Congress. A civic official said, “In March 2023, the Maharashtra Legislative Council passed an amendment to the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act that raised the cap on nominated corporators in BMC from 5 to 10. Under the new rules, up to 10 nominated corporators — or up to 10% of the total number of corporators, whichever is less — can be appointed in each municipal corporation, including BMC.“The earlier term of the civic house, which had 227 elected corporators and 5 nominated corporators, ended in March 2022. This is the first time that 10 corporators will be nominated to the BMC house.The 5 nominated corporators in the last civic house were 2 from the undivided Shiv Sena, namely Trushna Vishwasrao and Arvind Bhosale; 2 from the BJP, namely Bhalchandra Shirsat and Shriniwas Tripathi; and Sunil Narsale from the Congress.Nominated corporator positions are typically offered by political parties to leaders whom parties were unable to field despite their popularity, or to candidates who narrowly lost elections. There is fierce competition to get nominated among party workers too.Meanwhile, mayoral elections are likely to be held on January 28, 2026, civic sources said, after a special meeting is called, as decided by the municipal secretary and municipal commissioner. The Mayor will be elected through voting by corporators in the house. “Whoever gets the maximum number of votes is declared the Mayor and deputy Mayor,” said an official.While it is not mandatory for the party with the highest number of corporators to secure the Mayor’s post, past trends show that the party with a clear majority usually managed to claim the prestigious position. The last Mayor was Kishori Pednekar of the Shiv Sena, who won the election this time as well.
