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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.

Divine Economy

The Mahakumbh Mela 2025 stands as a monumental event, not just in religious terms but as a striking achievement for India and Uttar Pradesh. Traditionally a gathering of millions of devotees seeking spiritual solace, this year’s Mahakumbh promises to transcend its religious origins, emerging as an economic powerhouse, a logistical marvel and a showcase of India’s evolving capabilities.


The Uttar Pradesh government’s meticulous planning for the event exemplifies India’s ability to manage large-scale operations. The festival’s logistics alone—spanning transportation, sanitation, security, and infrastructure—are staggering. Coordinating the transportation of tens of millions of people, setting up 160,000 tents, and ensuring the safety of such a large crowd with AI-driven surveillance and more than 7,000 buses reflects an extraordinary feat of urban planning. For the people of Uttar Pradesh, it means not just a spiritual occasion but a demonstration of how mega-events can be meticulously organized with an eye for detail.


Beyond logistics, the Mahakumbh is poised to be a significant economic engine. The Yogi Adityanath-led government has forecasted revenues of up to Rs. 25,000 crores, with an expected spinoff of Rs. 2 trillion. As millions of pilgrims and tourists descend on the state, businesses—from local food vendors and artisans to hotels and transport services—are set to benefit. This economic impact is not just a boon for UP but a reminder of the broader potential of religious tourism, cementing India’s role as a global destination for spiritual and cultural tourism.


The Mahakumbh is also part of a broader cultural renaissance in India, with sacred projects like the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor. These iconic religious structures represent a commitment to preserving and promoting India’s rich cultural heritage. The 2025 Mahakumbh amplifies this, acting as a bridge between tradition and modernity, drawing millions to witness, participate in, and celebrate India’s ancient spiritual traditions while interacting with contemporary infrastructure and governance.


One of the standout elements of the 2025 Mahakumbh is its focus on sustainability. The event draws lessons from the 2019 Kumbh Mela, which introduced 122,000 toilets and innovative odour-dispelling solutions. The commitment to cleanliness and waste management not only ensures a better experience for attendees but also sets a global standard for managing such gatherings sustainably.


Politically and economically, the event’s success will not only bolster UP’s image domestically but also enhance its global reputation. For the state’s government, it represents a pivotal step toward achieving its goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy.


In essence, the 2025 Mahakumbh is an extraordinary blend of devotion, logistics, economics, and governance, highlighting India’s transformation into a global hub for both spiritual and economic growth. It is, without a doubt, a remarkable feat of achievement for both Uttar Pradesh and India as a whole, showcasing not just a rich cultural legacy but a modernized, dynamic future.

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