Twenty-nine newly elected corporators of the Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who had been confined to a five-star hotel in Mumbai since January 17 following the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election results, are set to leave the premises. The party had retained their original documents, including Aadhaar cards and winning certificates, to prevent defections and poaching attempts during ongoing negotiations over the Mumbai mayoral post and key committee positions. The corporators were awaiting the official gazette notification and were scheduled to present their winning certificates at the Divisional Commissioner’s office in Navi Mumbai.

The Shinde Sena holds 29 corporators, and together with the BJP’s seats, they have secured a majority in the 227-member BMC. Under municipal law, corporators can switch parties until the formal formation of the “gat” (group), which restricts defections unless a third of the group splits. By withholding original documents, the Shinde faction ensured loyalty among its members. However, the party has temporarily postponed the “gat” formation as Shinde Sena General Secretary Rahul Shewale heads to Delhi to discuss alliances and mayoral candidates with senior BJP leaders across corporations where both parties performed well.