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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.

BJP hangs BMC’s hopes on Ameet Satam’s shoulders

Mumbai: In a strategic move ahead of the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appointed three-term MLA Ameet Satam as the new president of its Mumbai unit. This decision, announced by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, marks a significant shift in the party’s urban leadership and reflects a calculated response to the evolving political landscape in Mumbai.


Satam’s political journey is marked by consistent electoral success and grassroots engagement. Representing the Andheri West Assembly constituency since 2014, Satam has secured three consecutive victories, defeating strong opposition candidates and establishing himself as a reliable vote-getter. His assertive stance on civic issues and sharp criticism of BMC’s functioning have earned him a reputation as a proactive and vocal legislator.


Before his tenure as MLA, Satam has also served as a municipal corporator, giving him first-hand experience in urban governance. His involvement in key infrastructure projects—such as the reconstruction of the Gokhale Bridge and the beautification of Juhu Beach—demonstrates his commitment to civic development and his ability to deliver results. His educational background as a management expert gives him an edge in his endeavours in the grass root politics.


Several factors appear to have worked in favour of Satam's appointment. The timing is particularly crucial, with the BMC elections looming. The BJP's decision to replace the outgoing Ashish Shelar, who has taken on a cabinet minister's role, with a dedicated city chief, signals the party's focused approach to capturing the country's richest civic body. Satam’s background as a three-time MLA and former corporator gives him an in-depth understanding of both legislative and municipal functioning, a unique and valuable asset for the party. Also having worked as personal secretary to the former Maharashtra DCM and senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde automatically aligns him to the ‘Munde group’ within the state BJP. CM Fadnavis being the current face of the group too has worked in favour of Satam, party’s internal sources have said.


Satam’s aggressive and articulate style is another key factor. Satam is known for being a "firebrand" politician who is not afraid to take on political opponents, a quality that will be vital in the competitive Mumbai political landscape, especially against the backdrop of a potential alliance between Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). He has already demonstrated his ability to challenge the Uddhav Thackeray faction, particularly by raising high-profile issues like the Disha Salian and Sushant Singh Rajput cases. This aggressive streak and his knack for tackling sensitive issues make him an ideal choice to lead the charge against the opposition.


The appointment also seems to be a strategic move to infuse new energy and a fresh perspective into the city unit. As a relatively young leader at 49, Satam represents a new generation of BJP leadership in Mumbai. His focus on development-oriented politics, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and Chief Minister Fadnavis' leadership, is a clear indication of the party's electoral strategy for the city.


CM Fadnavis described Satam as a “studious, aggressive and imaginative leader” with deep knowledge of Mumbai’s political dynamics. His familiarity with the city’s pressing issues and his ability to tackle them effectively were cited as key reasons for his elevation.


Born in Mumbai in 1976, Satam is a graduate of Political Science and Sociology with a post graduate degree in Personnel Management. Before entering politics, he worked as an HR professional at Tata Teleservices. His decision to quit corporate life in 2004 was inspired by spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, reflecting a deeper ideological commitment to public service.


Amit Satam's appointment as the Mumbai BJP President is not merely a change in leadership; it is a carefully calculated move by the party to consolidate its position in the city. With the BMC elections on the horizon, the BJP is betting on Satam to lead the party to a decisive victory and fulfil its long-standing ambition of hoisting the "saffron flag" atop the BMC.

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