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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.

India and Russia: Resilient Allies in a Changing Global Landscape

India and Russia

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union forged strong ties with India, epitomized by the 1971 Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Cooperation, which laid the foundation for decades of collaboration in defence, technology and economics. The disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991 did not mark the end of this relationship but rather, it initiated a new phase, with both nations reaffirming their commitment to strategic cooperation.


In early 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the Kremlin confirming the visit. The visit comes at a critical time for India as it navigates the complexities of its relationships with both the West and Russia, balancing its growing defence ties with the U.S. and its historical ties with Moscow. This diplomatic engagement, from ceremonial, is part of the reciprocal annual exchanges that have become the cornerstone of India-Russia relations. The ties between the two countries have evolved significantly over the years, with Modi and Putin meeting regularly at major international events and bilateral summits, reinforcing their shared vision of cooperation in defence, energy and trade.


Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov has emphasized the frequent communications between the two leaders, noting their direct meetings and phone calls every few months. In July, Modi travelled to Moscow for the 22nd India-Russia Summit, where both leaders addressed global security, climate change, and economic realignments. Later, in October, Modi attended the BRICS summit in Kazan, further solidifying India’s role in shaping a diverse geopolitical landscape.


India’s growing role in global forums like BRICS, the SCO, and the G20 aligns with Russia’s desire for greater influence in global governance, making their bilateral relationship all the more crucial in reshaping the future of international diplomacy.


At this juncture, India-Russia relations remain among the most enduring bilateral partnerships in modern geopolitics. Rooted in mutual respect and strategic collaboration, the partnership continues to address both traditional and emerging challenges in global affairs. Putin’s 2025 visit is particularly significant, as the world grapples with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, and the resurgence of power struggles. For Russia, this visit signals a determination to deepen ties with India, a key partner in the Global South, especially as Moscow faces growing isolation from the West due to its ongoing war in Ukraine.


For India, the visit presents an opportunity to assert its non-aligned foreign policy and advance its interests as a leader within global forums such as BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the G20. India has long managed a delicate balancing act in its foreign relations, strengthening its strategic partnership with the United States while maintaining robust ties with Russia, particularly in defence and energy security. However, the evolving proximity between Russia and China, amid Western sanctions, poses a challenge for India, given its ongoing border tensions with China. Furthermore, India’s expanding defence relationship with the U.S., exemplified by initiatives like the QUAD, remains a growing concern for Moscow. Despite the strength of their political and defence ties, bilateral trade and investment between India and Russia have been underwhelming, which limits the economic potential of their partnership.


Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has created diplomatic challenges for India, which has sought to balance its historical ties with Moscow while navigating its evolving relations with the West. India remains one of the largest importers of Russian defence equipment, including advanced systems like the S-400 missile defence system and nuclear-powered submarines. Joint military exercises, such as the INDRA series, further underscore the strong defence collaboration between the two nations.


Energy cooperation is another cornerstone of the India-Russia partnership. Russia has emerged as India’s top crude oil supplier in the wake of sanctions on Moscow, which have reshaped global energy markets. India is also reliant on Russian nuclear fuel, with projects like the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant symbolizing their ongoing collaboration.

Despite these strong sectors, trade relations remain relatively low, and both nations have been exploring mechanisms to enhance economic exchange, including a potential rupee-rouble exchange system designed to bypass the dominance of the U.S. dollar.


Looking forward, there are significant opportunities for collaboration in technology and space exploration, particularly through joint initiatives like India’s Gaganyaan mission with Russian assistance. Additionally, projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) could boost regional connectivity and trade, opening new avenues for cooperation.


At the heart of India and Russia’s foreign policy lies a shared history of mutual respect and a strategic vision for navigating global dynamics. Despite the challenges posed by changing geopolitical landscapes, the resilience of this relationship remains strong, anchored in their ability to adapt to emerging opportunities and global shifts. As both nations continue to navigate an increasingly complex global order, their bilateral relations will undoubtedly remain a critical pillar in their respective foreign policies.


(The author is an educationalist. Views personal.)

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