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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

Shinde dilutes demand

Likely to be content with Deputy Mayor’s post in Mumbai Mumbai: In a decisive shift that redraws the power dynamics of Maharashtra’s urban politics, the standoff over the prestigious Mumbai Mayor’s post has ended with a strategic compromise. Following days of resort politics and intense backroom negotiations, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has reportedly diluted its demand for the top job in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), settling instead for the Deputy Mayor’s post. This...

Shinde dilutes demand

Likely to be content with Deputy Mayor’s post in Mumbai Mumbai: In a decisive shift that redraws the power dynamics of Maharashtra’s urban politics, the standoff over the prestigious Mumbai Mayor’s post has ended with a strategic compromise. Following days of resort politics and intense backroom negotiations, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has reportedly diluted its demand for the top job in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), settling instead for the Deputy Mayor’s post. This development, confirmed by high-ranking party insiders, follows the realization that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) effectively ceded its claims on the Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC) to protect the alliance, facilitating a “Mumbai for BJP, Kalyan for Shinde” power-sharing formula. The compromise marks a complete role reversal between the BJP and the Shiv Sena. Both the political parties were in alliance with each other for over 25 years before 2017 civic polls. Back then the BJP used to get the post of Deputy Mayor while the Shiv Sena always enjoyed the mayor’s position. In 2017 a surging BJP (82 seats) had paused its aggression to support the undivided Shiv Sena (84 seats), preferring to be out of power in the Corporation to keep the saffron alliance intact. Today, the numbers dictate a different reality. In the recently concluded elections BJP emerged as the single largest party in Mumbai with 89 seats, while the Shinde faction secured 29. Although the Shinde faction acted as the “kingmaker”—pushing the alliance past the majority mark of 114—the sheer numerical gap made their claim to the mayor’s post untenable in the long run. KDMC Factor The catalyst for this truce lies 40 kilometers north of Mumbai in Kalyan-Dombivali, a region considered the impregnable fortress of Eknath Shinde and his son, MP Shrikant Shinde. While the BJP performed exceptionally well in KDMC, winning 50 seats compared to the Shinde faction’s 53, the lotter for the reservation of mayor’s post in KDMC turned the tables decisively in favor of Shiv Sena there. In the lottery, the KDMC mayor’ post went to be reserved for the Scheduled Tribe candidate. The BJP doesn’t have any such candidate among elected corporatros in KDMC. This cleared the way for Shiv Sena. Also, the Shiv Sena tied hands with the MNS in the corporation effectively weakening the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s alliance with them. Party insiders suggest that once it became clear the BJP would not pursue the KDMC Mayor’s chair—effectively acknowledging it as Shinde’s fiefdom—he agreed to scale down his demands in the capital. “We have practically no hope of installing a BJP Mayor in Kalyan-Dombivali without shattering the alliance locally,” a Mumbai BJP secretary admitted and added, “Letting the KDMC become Shinde’s home turf is the price for securing the Mumbai Mayor’s bungalow for a BJP corporator for the first time in history.” The formal elections for the Mayoral posts are scheduled for later this month. While the opposition Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA)—led by the Shiv Sena (UBT)—has vowed to field candidates, the arithmetic heavily favors the ruling alliance. For Eknath Shinde, accepting the Deputy Mayor’s post in Mumbai is a tactical retreat. It allows him to consolidate his power in the MMR belt (Thane and Kalyan) while remaining a partner in Mumbai’s governance. For the BJP, this is a crowning moment; after playing second fiddle in the BMC for decades, they are poised to finally install their own “First Citizen” of Mumbai.

A Fierce Battle Awaits between Kolhapur giants

Kolhapur’s ‘Tigeress’ Ready to Take on the Mahayuti ‘Lion’


Kolhapur: The political tension in the Kolhapur North Assembly constituency has intensified with the announcement of candidates. In this contest, Rajesh Kshirsagar of the Shinde faction of Shiv Sena will face off against the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi's candidate, Chhatrapati Madhurima Raje, known as Kolhapur's 'Tigeress.' Her candidacy presents a significant challenge to the Mahayuti, promising a closely fought battle that will undoubtedly attract statewide attention.


The unfolding drama within the Mahayuti has been captivating, particularly following Kshirsagar's recent political jibe aimed at BJP MP Dhananjay Mahadik. This led to a rift in the party, with Mahadik's loyal supporters expressing their dissent. The situation escalated further with the Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray registering their displeasure, especially as the constituency shifted towards Congress.


The Congress party's internal strife became apparent when Rajesh Latkar, a non-member, was nominated, angering supporters of sitting MLA Jayashree Jadhav. This internal conflict culminated in protests, including stone-pelting against the Congress committee. Ultimately, the party rectified its course by nominating Madhurima Raje, which appears to have pacified tensions and revitalized their campaign.


Madhurima Raje's entry into the race adds a dynamic element to the contest. Just four months after the Lok Sabha elections, which saw the victory of Chhatrapati Shahaji Maharaj, the political stakes in Kolhapur have risen significantly. Critics may question the concentration of power in one royal lineage, but Raje's assertive campaigning style has garnered substantial support, particularly among local youth.


Rajesh Kshirsagar is seen as a staunch ally of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and his candidacy has been portrayed as a matter of prestige for the Mahayuti. The backing of BJP's Mahadik faction only strengthens his position. With his appointment as Executive Chairman of the State Planning Board, Kshirsagar has also secured development projects for Kolhapur, making this constituency a focal point ahead of the elections.


The Election Commission has already flagged Kolhapur North as a sensitive constituency, indicating that this electoral battle will be one of the most watched across the state. As the campaign heats up, the strategies and loyalty of party factions will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of this high-stakes election.

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