top of page

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.

Gentle Reformer

Updated: Jan 2, 2025

The passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh at 92 marks the end of an era for India’s political and economic landscape. A man of quiet demeanour but towering intellect, Dr. Singh’s legacy is etched indelibly in the annals of modern India. As Finance Minister in 1991, he turned a nation on the brink of economic collapse into a rising power through reforms that redefined India’s destiny. As Prime Minister, he transformed the nation’s global standing, embracing policies that balanced pragmatism with profound vision.


Dr. Singh’s maiden Budget speech in July 1991 was nothing short of historic. Faced with a fiscal deficit nearing 8.5 percent of GDP, dangerously low foreign reserves and mounting balance of payments and current account deficits, he did the unthinkable by opening the gates to industrial delicensing. By dismantling protectionist barriers, he laid the groundwork for India’s integration into the global economy. In a display of rare candour, he acknowledged the policy failures of his predecessors, urging Parliament to embrace the winds of change with a humility and clarity that have since become rare commodities in political discourse.


The reforms were transformative. From the creation of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to protect investors to his impassioned arguments for consumer welfare and wealth creation, Dr. Singh shaped an economy that would become synonymous with opportunity and innovation. Yet, his vision extended beyond material wealth. He warned against the perils of “mindless and heartless” consumerism, striking a balance between economic liberalization and social responsibility.


As Prime Minister, Dr. Singh’s quiet resolve shone through in moments of crisis. When the 2004 tsunami devastated the region, he demonstrated India’s newfound confidence on the global stage. Declining foreign aid, he mobilized India’s resources to assist neighbouring nations, marking its emergence as a humanitarian power and paving the way for Quad partnerships.


On foreign policy, Dr. Singh achieved breakthroughs that reshaped India’s place in the world. His deft negotiation of the civil nuclear deal with the United States allowed India access to nuclear energy without compromising its strategic autonomy. Similarly, his rapprochement with Japan, cemented by his warm relationship with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, ended India’s post-nuclear test isolation. His integrity and intellectual gravitas earned him respect from leaders as diverse as George W. Bush and Barack Obama.


Dr. Singh’s humility was legendary. Even as Prime Minister, he chose a modest Maruti Suzuki 800 over a luxury BMW, signalling his deep connection with the common man. This simplicity belied the enormity of his contributions. For a man who seldom sought the limelight, his achievements spoke louder than any rhetoric could.


Critics often labelled him “maun” or silent, mistaking his reserve for passivity. But Dr. Singh’s quiet confidence and unyielding dedication were his greatest strengths. In a fractious political landscape, he remained a rare figure of unity and intellect. His legacy as the architect of India’s economic resurgence and a statesman of remarkable vision will endure, shaping the India of today and tomorrow.

Comments

bottom of page