Eknath Shinde Declares Mumbai Mayor Will Be From Mahayuti Alliance
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has firmly stated that the next Mumbai Mayor will be from the Mahayuti coalition. This announcement comes as a power struggle over control of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) continues to unfold. Shinde made these remarks during a meeting with his newly elected corporators at a hotel in Mumbai.
Orientation Session or Resort Politics?
The Shinde Sena has gathered its 29 corporators at the Taj Lands End Hotel in Bandra for what it calls an orientation session. However, the opposition has accused the party of engaging in resort politics, suggesting the move is to prevent poaching attempts. Shinde strongly denied these allegations, emphasizing that the Sena is not a party that gets scared.
People are scared of the Sena, Shinde told reporters. He added that the opposition, particularly the Sena-UBT, is struggling to keep its members united. The orientation aims to guide new corporators on BMC functioning, according to Shinde.
Power Sharing Negotiations in BMC
In the BMC House of 227 seats, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats. To cross the halfway mark of 114, it needs support from the Shinde Sena's 29 seats. Sources reveal that the Shinde Sena is pushing for a clear and respectable share of power in the civic body.
The party has proposed two options:
- The Mayor's post for half of the five-year term.
- Control of the Standing Committee, which oversees finances and key approvals in the BMC.
With the BJP reluctant to compromise on administrative control, discussions are expected to resume when Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis returns from Davos on January 24. No formal talks have occurred yet, a Shinde Sena leader confirmed.
Corporators Await Instructions
Many of the Shinde Sena corporators, including 12 first-time representatives and 19 women, remain at the hotel. Some have family members with them. They claim to be unaware of power-sharing details, stating they were called for orientation and await leadership decisions.
We were told to come here for orientation, one corporator said anonymously. The party leadership will decide everything, and we will follow. Several corporators mentioned they had planned victory rallies but were redirected to the hotel instead.
Broader Implications and Opposition Criticism
The BMC negotiations are linked to power-sharing in other civic bodies like Kalyan-Dombivli and Thane. A possible arrangement could see the BJP conceding the Mayor's post to the Shinde Sena while retaining the Standing Committee. However, leaders stress no final decision has been made.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut criticized the hotel stay, calling it pressure politics and urging authorities to intervene. In response, Shinde Sena spokesperson Sheetal Mhatre defended the orientation as necessary for first-time representatives to understand BMC operations.
Next Steps and Formal Processes
Maharashtra BJP Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule noted that no formal proposal for a split Mayoral term has been submitted. Discussions will occur between Shinde and Fadnavis upon the latter's return. The Mayor's post, reserved rotationally for categories like general, SC, OBC, and women, requires a lottery by the Urban Development Department, with formal processes starting next week.
Bawankule reiterated, The next Mayor will be from Mahayuti, highlighting that alliance leadership will make all key decisions.
