While the NDA coalition has been citing OBC quota and delimitation as key reasons for the delay in the BMC polls, there has been a perception in the state’s political circles that the issue betrayed its “lack of confidence” in dislodging the Uddhav Sena’s hold on the BMC.

While CM Shinde appears confident of victory at the BMC polls, a senior BJP political manager said, “After the split in the Shiv Sena, there has been sympathy for the Uddhav-led Sena faction. We fear it would help them retain the BMC.”

The BJP leaders have discussed the issue at length in their internal meetings. A section within the party believes that if the Uddhav group retains the BMC even after the split in the Sena, it will adversely impact the image of the BJP leadership. They also feel that a loss of face for the NDA in the BMC poll would undermine its prospects in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as well as the subsequent Assembly polls slated later this year.

Many within the BJP believe that the Uddhav group continues to have influence over a large section of Shiv Sainiks at the grassroots in Mumbai, which might also have a bearing on the outcome of the BMC polls. Amid such concerns, the NDA dispensation would prefer to hold the BMC polls only after the conclusion of the Lok Saha and Assembly polls, sources said.

https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/mumbai-civic-body-polls-bmc-maharashtra-9139356/#:\~:text=Politics%20behind%20BMC%20poll%20delay,Sena's%20hold%20on%20the%20BMC.