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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.

Back with a bang!

Updated: Nov 25, 2024

Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai: Devendra Fadnavis’s resurgence in the Maharashtra assembly elections of 2024 is a fascinating political narrative, marked by strategic acumen, grassroots mobilization, and a keen understanding of the electorate’s pulse. His war-cry of ‘Mi Punha Yein’ (I shall be back) turned into a joke after the Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray backstabbed him in 2019. Later he was ridiculed by likes of Supriya Sule who said ‘Akela Devendra Kya Karega’ while underestimating him when he became the lea deader of opposition in 2019. From that point to the triumphant return today underscores his resilience and political savvy.


Also, even after he managed to form the Mahayuti government in 2022, the alliance put up a very poor show in the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year. Fadnavis took the whole responsibility on his shoulders and said we shall go to people and win their faith. He proved his words in a span of just five months and underlined his mantle once again.


In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, Fadnavis faced a significant political blow when the Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, broke away from the pre-poll alliance with the BJP. This led to the formation of MVA government, comprising the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and the Congress, sidelining Fadnavis and the BJP. Despite this setback, Fadnavis remained a prominent figure in Maharashtra politics, serving as the Deputy Chief Minister in the subsequent BJP-led government formed after the split within the Shiv Sena.


Fadnavis's comeback in the 2024 elections can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, his ability to maintain a strong connection with the grassroots and his constituency in Nagpur played a crucial role. His consistent engagement with the electorate, addressing local issues, and ensuring development projects kept him in good stead with the voters.


Secondly, Fadnavis's strategic alliances were pivotal. The BJP's coalition with the Shiv Sena and the NCP under the Mahayuti alliance proved to be a masterstroke. This alliance not only consolidated the pro-incumbency vote but also expanded the BJP's reach across different voter bases. The alliance could do this because Fadnavis instilled the concept of collective leadership within the party as well as the government. This helped the Mahayuti alliance to come forth as a united force.


The increased voter turnout in the 2024 elections was another significant factor. Fadnavis attributed this to the pro-incumbency sentiment and the impact of welfare schemes like the Ladki Bahin scheme, which aimed at empowering women and garnered substantial support from female voters. The higher voter turnout was seen as a positive indicator of public support for the BJP-led alliance.


Fadnavis's leadership style also contributed to his resurgence. Known for his articulate and pragmatic approach, he effectively communicated the achievements of the BJP-led government and countered the opposition's narrative. His ability to navigate the complex political landscape of Maharashtra, marked by factionalism and shifting alliances, showcased his political dexterity.


The election results reflected Fadnavis's successful strategy. The Mahayuti alliance secured a decisive victory, winning a significant number of seats and surpassing the majority mark in the 288-member Maharashtra assembly. This victory not only reinstated Fadnavis as a key political player but also positioned him as a potential candidate for the Chief Minister's post.

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