BJP Faces Major Defection Ahead of Bhiwandi Mayoral Election
In a significant political development just before Friday's crucial mayoral election for the Bhiwandi Nizampur Municipal Corporation (BNMC), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has encountered a substantial setback. A group of nine councillors, spearheaded by Narayan Chaudhary, has publicly distanced itself from the party and is now moving closer to the Congress-supported 'Bhiwandi Secular Front'. This strategic realignment could dramatically alter the balance of power in the municipal corporation.
Numbers Game: Secular Front Gains Decisive Edge
The BNMC comprises a total of 90 seats, with 46 required to secure a simple majority. According to informed political sources, Chaudhary's rebel bloc has formally aligned itself with 30 Congress councillors and 12 from the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) faction. This coalition brings the effective strength of the 'Secular Front' to an impressive 51 councillors—a decisive figure that positions them strongly in the contest for the mayor's post.
This development comes after last month's civic elections, where Congress emerged as the single largest party. The BJP secured second place with 22 seats, followed by Shiv Sena with 12, Samajwadi Party with 6, Vilas Patil's Konark Vikas Aghadi with 4, and Bhiwandi Vikas Aghadi with 3. One independent candidate also won a seat. Congress politicians have openly described this new alignment as "a significant advantage" in their quest for the mayoral position.
Root Cause: Candidate Change Sparks Rebellion
The rift within the BJP ranks reportedly began after the party decided to change its mayoral candidate. Narayan Chaudhary was initially projected as the party's official nominee but was later replaced by Sneha Patil. Chaudhary's camp has claimed that this abrupt move triggered widespread resentment among his supporters, ultimately leading to the current defection.
Speaking to media representatives, Chaudhary defended his position, stating, "The BJP first named me as its mayoral candidate but later replaced me without adequate consultation. Along with eight other councillors, I am seriously considering extending our support to the Secular Front. A final decision will be made following proper legal consultation."
Political Reactions and Strategic Implications
Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Sheikh expressed optimism about the developments, telling reporters, "I had promised the people of Bhiwandi that a Secular Front mayor would be elected. The present developments suggest we are moving closer to achieving that important goal." Ganesh Patil, vice-president of the Maharashtra Congress, confirmed the political shift, noting, "The nine BJP corporators will be part of the Bhiwandi Secular Front, and we, along with NCP (SP), are currently discussing other administrative details."
However, not all Congress members are celebrating. Congress' Bhiwandi district president Rashid Tahir Momin expressed unease about the situation, suggesting that "this appears to be a calculated move by the BJP" that might have deeper strategic implications.
Historical Parallels and Future Scenarios
With a section of BJP corporators moving closer to the Congress-backed front, the current political scenario in Bhiwandi bears striking resemblance to the 2017 situation, when a coalition of councillors from different parties came together to surpass the majority mark. Some BJP supporters have attempted to characterize Wednesday's development as a "strategic manoeuvre," though they have not elaborated on what this might entail.
Political analysts observing the situation argue that even if the BJP cannot secure the mayor's post directly, the party may still attempt to influence the outcome indirectly through Chaudhary's positioning and ongoing negotiations. The BJP has not officially commented on these claims or the defection, maintaining a cautious silence as the mayoral election approaches.
The coming days will reveal whether this political realignment represents a temporary setback for the BJP or a more permanent shift in Bhiwandi's municipal politics, with the Secular Front now holding a numerical advantage in the crucial mayoral contest.
