top of page

By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Seventy-six mayors ruled BMC since 1931

After four years, Mumbai to salute its first citizen Kishori Pednekar Vishwanath Mahadeshwar Snehal Ambekar Sunil Prabhu Mumbai: As the date for appointing Mumbai’s First Citizen looms closer, various political parties have adopted tough posturing to foist their own person for the coveted post of Mayor – the ‘face’ of the country’s commercial capital. Ruling Mahayuti allies Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena have vowed that the city...

Seventy-six mayors ruled BMC since 1931

After four years, Mumbai to salute its first citizen Kishori Pednekar Vishwanath Mahadeshwar Snehal Ambekar Sunil Prabhu Mumbai: As the date for appointing Mumbai’s First Citizen looms closer, various political parties have adopted tough posturing to foist their own person for the coveted post of Mayor – the ‘face’ of the country’s commercial capital. Ruling Mahayuti allies Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena have vowed that the city will get a ‘Hindu Marathi’ person to head India’s richest civic body, while the Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT)-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena also harbour fond hopes of a miracle that could ensure their own person for the post. The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) optimism stems from expectations of possible political permutations-combinations that could develop with a realignment of forces as the Supreme Court is hearing the cases involving the Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party this week. Catapulted as the largest single party, the BJP hopes to install a first ever party-man as Mayor, but that may not create history. Way back in 1982-1983, a BJP leader Dr. Prabhakar Pai had served in the top post in Mumbai (then Bombay). Incidentally, Dr. Pai hailed from Udupi district of Karnataka, and his appointment came barely a couple of years after the BJP was formed (1980), capping a distinguished career as a city father, said experts. Originally a Congressman, Dr. Pai later shifted to the Bharatiya Janata Party, then back to Congress briefly, founded the Janata Seva Sangh before immersing himself in social activities. Second Administrator The 2026 Mayoral elections have evoked huge interest not only among Mumbaikars but across the country as it comes after nearly four years since the BMC was governed by an Administrator. This was only the second time in the BMC history that an Administrator was named after April 1984-May 1985. On both occasions, there were election-related issues, the first time the elections got delayed for certain reasons and the second time the polling was put off owing to Ward delimitations and OBC quotas as the matter was pending in the courts. From 1931 till 2022, Mumbai has been lorded over by 76 Mayors, men and women, hailing from various regions, backgrounds, castes and communities. They included Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Parsis, Sikhs, even a Jew, etc., truly reflecting the cosmopolitan personality of the coastal city and India’s financial powerhouse. In 1931-1932, the Mayor was a Parsi, J. B. Boman Behram, and others from his community followed like Khurshed Framji Nariman (after whom Nariman Point is named), E. A. Bandukwala, Minoo Masani, B. N. Karanjia and other bigwigs. There were Muslims like Hoosenally Rahimtoola, Sultan M. Chinoy, the legendary Yusuf Meherally, Dr. A. U. Memon and others. The Christian community got a fair share of Mayors with Joseph A. D’Souza – who was Member of Constituent Assembly representing Bombay Province for writing-approving the Constitution of India, M. U. Mascarenhas, P. A. Dias, Simon C. Fernandes, J. Leon D’Souza, et al. A Jew Elijah Moses (1937-1938) and a Sikh M. H. Bedi (1983-1984), served as Mayors, but post-1985, for the past 40 years, nobody from any minority community occupied the august post. During the silver jubilee year of the post, Sulochana M. Modi became the first woman Mayor of Mumbai (1956), and later with tweaks in the rules, many women ruled in this post – Nirmala Samant-Prabhavalkar (1994-1995), Vishakha Raut (997-1998), Dr. Shubha Raul (March 2007-Nov. 2009), Shraddha Jadhav (Dec. 2009-March 2012), Snehal Ambedkar (Sep. 2014-March 2017). The last incumbent (before the Administrator) was a government nurse, Kishori Pednekar (Nov. 2019-March 2022) - who earned the sobriquet of ‘Florence Nightingale’ of Mumbai - as she flitted around in her full white uniform at the height of the Covid-19 Pandemic, earning the admiration of the citizens. Mumbai Mayor – high-profile post The Mumbai Mayor’s post is considered a crucial step in the political ladder and many went on to become MLAs, MPs, state-central ministers, a Lok Sabha Speaker, Chief Ministers and union ministers. The formidable S. K. Patil was Mayor (1949-1952) and later served in the union cabinets of PMs Jawaharlal Nehru, Lah Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi; Dahyabhai V. Patel (1954-1955) was the son of India’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel; Manohar Joshi (1976-1977) became the CM of Maharashtra, later union minister and Speaker of Lok Sabha; Chhagan Bhujbal (1985-1986 – 1990-1991) became a Deputy CM.

A Polarising Figure in Indian Cricket Coaching

Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team has been a rollercoaster of triumphs and tribulations. Appointed in July 2024 following Rahul Dravid’s successful stint, Gambhir brought a reputation for tactical brilliance from his IPL mentorship, where he guided Kolkata Knight Riders to a title in 2024. Yet, despite notable successes in white-ball cricket, including leading India to victories in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and the 2025 Asia Cup, he remains a deeply divisive figure. Many fans, pundits, and even former players express outright disdain for him, often amplified on social media platforms like X.


In my opinion, this dislike stems not just from recent Test cricket failures but from Gambhir’s inherent personality traits—his abrasiveness, perceived favouritism, and a history of controversies—that clash with the expectations of a more diplomatic coaching role. While his results in limited-overs formats are commendable, they haven’t shielded him from criticism, highlighting how personal style can overshadow professional achievements in the high-stakes world of Indian cricket.


SWOT analysis

To understand this paradox, it’s essential to dissect Gambhir’s coaching profile through a SWOT analysis, which reveals both his potential and pitfalls.


Strengths: Gambhir’s greatest asset is his strategic mind and ability to foster winning cultures in high-pressure environments. As a player, he was instrumental in India’s 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup triumphs, scoring crucial runs in finals. Translating that to coaching, he has excelled in white-ball cricket. Under his guidance, India clinched the 2025 Champions Trophy, defeating strong sides like England and Australia, with innovative tactics such as aggressive batting lineups and versatile all-rounders. The 2025 Asia Cup win further showcased his knack for player motivation, where young talents like Nitish Kumar Reddy thrived. His IPL legacy—two titles as KKR captain and one as mentor—demonstrates a proven track record in T20 formats, where quick decisions and bold selections pay off. Gambhir’s no-nonsense approach also instills discipline, as seen in India’s drawn Test series in England in 2025, where the team showed resilience against a formidable opposition on away soil. These successes prove he can deliver “good results,” particularly in formats that suit his aggressive philosophy.


Weaknesses: However, Gambhir’s weaknesses are glaring and often fuel the dislike. His communication style is blunt and confrontational, which alienates stakeholders. For instance, post the humiliating 0-3 home Test series loss to New Zealand in 2024 and the recent 0-2 whitewash by South Africa in 2025, Gambhir’s press conferences have been defensive, dismissing critics with remarks like, “I’m the same guy who got results in England.” This comes across as arrogant, especially when contrasted with predecessors like Dravid, who handled setbacks with grace. Critics point to perceived favoritism in selections, such as prioritising IPL performers like Sai Sudarshan (despite a modest Ranji average) over domestic stalwarts like Sarfaraz Khan or Abhimanyu Easwaran.


Social media erupts with accusations of “ego and hate,” with X users labeling him the “worst Test coach” after India lost five home Tests in a year—a stark decline from the fortress India was under Shastri and Dravid. Gambhir’s political affiliations with the BJP and past on-field spats (e.g., with Virat Kohli) add layers of personal baggage, making him a target for those who see him as divisive rather than unifying. His pessimistic demeanor, as noted by former coach John Wright in a 2019 article, where Gambhir was described as “insecure and negative,” persists, eroding team morale during slumps.


Opportunities: Looking ahead, Gambhir has ample chances to turn the narrative. The upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup presents a platform to leverage his strengths in shorter formats, where India’s talent pool aligns with his all-rounder-focused strategies. Transitioning the team post the retirement of seniors like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli could be his redemption arc; by nurturing emerging stars and integrating data-driven selections, he could rebuild India’s Test dominance. Collaborations with supportive figures like Suresh Raina, who recently defended him by emphasizing player responsibility over coaching blame, could help mend public perception. If Gambhir adapts his style—perhaps by being more empathetic in media interactions—he could capitalize on India’s vast resources to achieve multi-format consistency, silencing detractors and cementing his legacy.


Threats: The biggest threats to Gambhir’s position are external pressures and internal fractures. Media scrutiny is relentless; outlets like Hindustan Times and India Today have lambasted his “lost in transition” excuses, while Iceland Cricket’s satirical jab about his poor win percentage underscores global ridicule. BCCI’s impatience could lead to his ouster, as hinted in reports of potential replacements like VVS Laxman. Player unrest, fueled by selection controversies, risks a dressing room revolt, especially if veterans feel sidelined. Broader threats include the evolving game—where Test cricket demands patience over aggression—and fan backlash on platforms like X, where hashtags like #SackGambhir trend after every loss. If white-ball successes wane, these threats could culminate in an abrupt exit, mirroring his IPL coaching stints that ended amid reported conflicts.


(The writer is a senior journalist based in Mumbai. Views personal.)

Comments

bottom of page