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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.

Dream coming true for Sarfaraz, long way to go

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

Dream coming true for Sarfaraz, long way to go

Sarfaraz Khan will celebrate his 27th birthday October 22. He has given himself and his Abbu a gift in advance by scoring his maiden Test ton on the hallowed turf of KSCAs Chinnaswamyu Stadium, Bengaluru.

Sarfaraz a school cricket prodigy from Mumbai has fulfilled dream of scoring a Test Century that too a big one of 150.


Sarfaraz Khan, Pruthvi Shaw and Aarmaan Jaffer (nephew of Test star Wasim Jaffer ) were rated very highly from their schooldays. The days of Harris and Giles Shield Cricket Tournament. Local as well as national newspapers were always carrying their news with photo on the sports pages. Sarfaraz Khan was lucky enough to play in two world cups (2014 and 2019).


Pruthvi Shaw got selected to play for Mumbai as well as India. Not only that he scored a century for India on his Test debut whereas Sarfraz had to wait for pretty long time to make his India debut.


Sarfaraz’s career has many ups and downs. He faced disciplinary action from Mumbai Cricket Association from his junior age group level cricket days. He got an IPL contract at young age. RCB picked him up and he showed promise by hitting 45 off just 21 balls against Rajasthan Royals but he flattered to deceive.


He was retained by RCB who had big Super Stars like Virat Kohli, AB Devilliers, Chris Gayle. Then his career took a jolt. He left Mumbai and went to play for UP which was a turning point in his career. After two futile years in UP Sarfaraz’s father Naushad Khan thought it was enough and he returned to Mumbai.


Coming back to Mumbai was a key moment in Sarfaraz’s Career. He scored heavily for Mumbai crossing 900 + mark twice in a row and it ultimately paved the way for his India debut after a long wait.


Sarfaraz made his Test debut against England at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot. Former India Skipper Anil Kumble handed him India Cap and Sarfaraz played breezy knock of 62 and won the hearts of his many supporters.


Naushad was happy to see his son earning India Cap and scoring brilliant breezy knock. He played three Tests against England earlier this year. Now, against New Zealand Sarfaraz fulfilled his earlier promise of scoring a century at his favourite ground of his first IPL teams.


Sarfaraz has potential to score runs not only in domestic cricket but at an international level too. He showed his class in Bengaluru. His cover driven four had the stamp of authority. On damp Chinnaswamy outfield Sarfaraz has made imprint. With the Down Under trip round the corner the cricket loving fraternity expecting runs by tons in International Cricket.

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