India, Aug. 28 -- Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena leader on Thursday told the media that his party had a power-sharing arrangement for the BMC mayor's post with its ally, the BJP-the Sena would have its own mayor for 1.25 years after BJP mayor Ritu Tawde completed her 2.5-year term, after which the post would go back to the BJP for the remaining 1.25 years.

The statement, however, appeared to catch senior BJP leaders off guard. Mumbai suburban guardian minister and former Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar told HT that he was "absolutely not aware of such a development".

In the BMC elections held on January 15, the Shiv Sena won 29 seats while the BJP won 89. The Mahayuti alliance's tally is expected to marginally increase by four onc...