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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.

Kiwis Setting Trend

Kiwis Setting Trend

Tom Latham followed in the footsteps of Graham Dowling and John Wright, the two successful New Zealand Skippers to win a Test Match on Indian Soil. What is unique about Latham’s team victory is they have made a winning start in the series in the nearly seven decades test battle between the two teams. Dowling and Wright won the tests after losing the opening test of the series.


With Tim Southee giving up test captaincy after a whitewash (2-0) on Emerald Islands tour Tom Latham was forced to take over the reins of teams as Ken Williamson is still indisposed. He is likely to join the Kiwi squad just before the Pune test match to be played from October 24. This young and talented bunch of Kiwis performed exceptionally well and jolted Rohit Sharma’s team by bundling them out for paltry 46 runs on day one in the pre-lunch session in mere 31.2 overs.


It is the new low for Indian cricket team on home turf. (Lowest total in Asia). What a fall for Australia bound Indian team! It was the folly of skipper Rohit Sharma who after winning the toss decided to bat first and within no time the Big Brothers collapsed like house of cards. Five out of top seven batters failed to open their accounts.


Opener Yashsvi Jaiswal and wicket keeper batsman Rishabh Pant, both southpaws, entered the double figures (13 and 20 respectively). Others just caved in front of accurate seam, swing bowling of Matt Henry and UK born tall gangling speedster William O’Rourke. They exploited conditions and variance in weather conditions at Bengaluru (more like Birmingham ) after veteran Tim Southee castled Indian opener Rohit Sharma. It was beauty of a delivery with Rohit beaten all ends up.


Then it was a mere roll call for over rated Indian batting line up. Matt Henry who completed the century of wickets in tests was delighted at the atmosphere on Day 2 of the series opener after entire first day’s play was washed out.


Kiwi pacers never expected these conditions in India. They got assistance from weather conditions. Henry’s figures of 13.2-3-15-5 may look flattering on paper but Indian stalwarts had to face the music and Kiwis being talented bunch of fielders Indians had their cup full of woes.


Nothing went right for Rohit’s team after a false start or meek surrender and Kiwi batters Devon Conway (91) the Indian origin Wellington born tall curly topper Rachin Ravindra smashing red cherry to all corners of Chinnaswamy Stadium. The cricket crazy crowd was silently applauding the Kannada boy’s shots in silence. Rachin scored a century at home away. His father being a Banglorian went to Maori land but the generation next lad making hay at KSCA Chinnaswamy stadium his ‘Home Turf.


After conceding lead of 356 runs top five batters played well specially two young turks, Sarfaraz Khan and Southpaw Rishabh Pant. Sarfaraz scored his maiden test ton in his 6th test innings. He scored 150 runs with three sixers and 18 fours. Rishabh missed his ton by a solitary run. Second New ball brought swift end to India innings.


Kiwis requiring 107 runs for victory achieved the target with loss of two wickets Captain Latham failed to open his account as Bhumrah removed him quickly. Conway was consumed by Bhumrah but star player Rachin Ravindra reaped rich reward by remaining unbeaten to mark Kiwis’ victory by eight wickets and giving his team 1-0 lead in the test series for the first time ever.


Is this the trend of shape of things to come. Keeping my fingers crossed.

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