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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.

In Maharashtra’s ‘Maratha Moment,’ Sharad Pawar Bets on Loyalty

As the Maratha reservation movement gathers steam, NCP(SP) finds its anchor in a grassroots loyalist.

In Maharashtra’s political landscape, nothing happens by chance, especially when Sharad Pawar is the one making decisions. The recent appointment of Shashikant Shinde as the state president of the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) is not just a regular change in leadership. It is a wellthought-out move made with political foresight, careful timing, and social calculations.


Shashikant Shinde’s elevation as NCP(SP) state president highlights a broader trend: all major parties in Maharashtra—the BJP, Congress, and NCP(SP)—have appointed Maratha leaders to head their state units. This reflects the community’s growing political significance amid renewed calls for Maratha reservation. With unerring political instinct Sharad Pawar, with an eye to the ongoing agitation led by Manoj Jarange Patil, chose Shinde, a loyal grassroots Maratha leader from western Maharashtra over other contenders. The move mirrors BJP’s appointment of Ravindra Chavan, another Maratha face, as it seeks to retain support among Maratha voters. Pawar’s choice of Shinde signals both caution and strategy in the shadow of Ajit Pawar’s defection two years back.


There are also whispers in political circles that senior NCP leader Jayant Patil may consider quitting the party, not for his own gains, but to secure a future for his son in Maharashtra politics. With such possibilities in the background, Pawar’s choice of Shashikant Shinde becomes even more significant.


A former minister and MLA from Koregaon, Shinde has served as minister of water conservation in the Congress-NCP government. He belongs to Satara in western Maharashtra, a traditional stronghold for the NCP. A loyalist to Sharad Pawar, Shinde’s reputation is that of a calm, grounded leader who believes in staying connected with workers on the ground. He is not known for flashy politics or high drama. Instead, he is viewed as a dependable party man, someone who will follow the party line without personal ambitions getting in the way. This makes him a safe and smart choice for Pawar, especially at a time when the party is dealing with internal splits and external challenges.


For Shashikant Shinde, the road ahead is not easy. His biggest task is to keep the party together, especially after the Ajit Pawar faction created confusion and defections. The NCP(SP) now has to re-energise its cadre, rebuild its organisation, and send out a strong message that the Sharad Pawar-led faction is here to stay.


One of Shinde’s early moves as state president is to go on a statewide tour. The idea is to connect with local workers, understand their issues, and bring new energy into the party. The focus will be on youth and women, who are likely to play a major role in the upcoming elections.


This outreach is particularly important with local body elections expected soon. These elections will serve as the first real test for Shinde’s leadership. For NCP(SP), it’s a do-or-die situation.


A poor performance could damage its credibility, while a strong showing could revive the party’s image. The ongoing demand for Maratha reservation is reshaping political conversations in Maharashtra. Manoj Jarange Patil, the face of the Maratha agitation, has warned of fresh protests. With the Maratha communityforming a significant chunk of the voter base, all political parties are making strategic moves to maintain their support. By appointing Shinde, Sharad Pawar is not only keeping Maratha sentiments in mind but also countering the BJP’s strategy of showcasing their own Maratha face. In such a situation, a leader like Shinde can serve as a bridge as someone who understands the aspirations of the Maratha youth, connects with rural voters and ensures that the party speaks in one voice.


It is well known that Sharad Pawar values loyalty. Over the years, he has seen many leaders come and go, but those who have stood by him in difficult times are the ones he rewards with responsibility. Shashikant Shinde fits this mould. He may not have the aggressive style of other leaders, but his quiet presence, experience, and consistency make him suitable for the current phase of rebuilding. As a seasoned politician who has seen Maharashtra politics up close, Shinde is expected to maintain the ideological stand of the NCP(SP) while adjusting to the new demands of electoral politics.


Shashikant Shinde’s appointment sends out a clear message that the Sharad Pawar-led NCP is still in the game and is preparing for the next big battle. It is also a reminder that in Maharashtra politics, caste equations, local dynamics, and leadership loyalty all play key roles in shaping decisions.


While the media focus often remains on high-profile leaders like Ajit Pawar or Supriya Sule, it is leaders like Shashikant Shinde who quietly hold the party together during testing times. His success will depend on how quickly he can rebuild trust within the party and revive its public image.


In the coming months, all eyes will be on Shinde’s tour across the state, his performance in the local body elections, and how effectively he counters both Ajit Pawar’s NCP and the BJP in their respective strongholds.


For now, Sharad Pawar has made his move. The ball is in Shashikant Shinde’s court. Whether he rises to the occasion or fades into the background will decide the future direction of NCP(SP) in Maharashtra.


(The Writer is a communication professional. Views Personal.)

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