STAFF REPORTER Mumbai

The Shiv Sena- BJP- RPI alliance in the BMC is well past 114, the magic number of seats to attain majority and gain control over the Rs 21,000 cr Mumbai corporation.

The alliance has the support of at least nine independents apart from two corporators of Arun Gawlis Akhil Bharatiya Sena ( ABS).

Corporator Geeta Gawli of the ABS said, " We have already made it clear that we would support the Sena." Sources in the ABS said that like in the earlier corporation, the ABS is eyeing a seat each in Improvements and Standing Committees, two all- powerful committees in the BMC. The Gawlis have plans to contest the assembly polls in 2014. Geetas aunt Vandana too has won on the ABS ticket, once again.

Nine other independents are said to have declared support to the Sena- BJPRPI combine. Their names are - Leena Harish Shukla, Changez Multani ( independent winner from Jogeshwari), Bhavana Mangela, Cyril D'Souza, Siraj Mohammed Shaikh, Jyoti Alawani ( wife of BJP functionary Parag Alawani who was ousted from the party), Makarand Narvekar ( Independent who defeated Congress corporator Vinod Shekhar), Deepak Hande and Vishnu Gaikwad.

Mayor Shraddha Jadhav asserted, " We have the required number of people to reach the magic figure." The Sena- BJP- RPI combine has earned a combined tally of 107 in the newlyelected house. They need seven more seats to reach the magic figure of 114. After adding supporting independents and the ABS, the tally is now up to 118.

Sources said that the combine, now in a bargaining position, is not ready to take any risks and therefore decided to garner at least 118- 120 seats, to eliminate any risk of a possible fallout.

Independents make a beeline for mega- alliance