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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.

Maharashtra’s Persistent Politician

Devendra Fadnavis

In Indian politics, comebacks are as rare as they are celebrated. Devendra Fadnavis, now firmly ensconced as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister for a third term (technically his second major term), has proven himself an exception. The 53-year-old has rewritten the playbook for survival and success in India’s most industrialised state. A consummate insider, Fadnavis has defied political gravity, brushing off casteist vitriol, internal rivalries and coalition quagmires. His elevation underscores the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) evolving ethos that loyalty, competence and electoral muscle are prized over ideology and patronage.


Fadnavis’s journey to becoming a three-time Chief Minister is a narrative of remarkable milestones. He holds several records that set him apart from any of his predecessors. Notably, he is the first Deputy Chief Minister in Maharashtra’s history to have previously served as the Chief Minister and then reclaimed the top post. Additionally, he is the first non-Congress leader to achieve the distinction of being Chief Minister three times. Under his leadership, the BJP accomplished an impressive electoral feat: securing a hat-trick of more than 100 seats in successive state elections since 2014. These records underscore his undeniable imprint on Maharashtra’s political landscape.


Fadnavis’s comeback is also a symbolic victory against targeted caste-based animosity. During his political career, he has faced relentless criticism and attacks aimed at his Brahmin identity. Yet, the voters of Maharashtra have shown that they rally behind a leader who is targeted unjustly. This phenomenon reflects a broader rejection of caste-based hatred in the state’s politics, affirming that merit and leadership transcend such divisive tactics. The electorate’s support for Fadnavis highlights their faith in his vision and ability to deliver, rather than succumbing to polarizing narratives.


In his new term, Fadnavis faces the formidable challenge of steering Maharashtra through a complex set of socio-economic issues which call for urgency.


Fadnavis inherits a state grappling with economic stagnation and a battered reputation. Maharashtra, once India’s industrial crown jewel, has seen investment flows drift southward to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Perceptions of political instability during the Uddhav Thackeray-led coalition have exacerbated this trend. Fadnavis must rekindle investor confidence, expedite stalled projects, and chart a path for sustained growth in agriculture, industry, and infrastructure.


Maharashtra’s farmers need sustainable solutions to recurring droughts, price volatility, and access to credit. Fadnavis must prioritize reforms that increase productivity and ensure fair remuneration.


Revitalizing Maharashtra’s industrial sector is crucial. By attracting investments and creating a business-friendly ecosystem, the state can reclaim its status as India’s industrial powerhouse. Urban and rural infrastructure development must be accelerated to cater to growing population needs. Projects like the Mumbai Metro, coastal roads, and rural connectivity will have to remain high on the agenda of the ‘Mahayuti 2.0’ under Fadnavis.


Addressing the needs of marginalized communities, ensuring healthcare access, and improving education standards will solidify social cohesion and lastly, Maharashtra’s fiscal health requires prudent management. Striking a balance between welfare spending and revenue generation will be essential for sustainable development.


Fadnavis’s leadership will be judged on how effectively he can address these challenges while maintaining Maharashtra’s economic and social stability.

The BJP’s decision to elevate Fadnavis once again is a clear message to its cadre and beyond: loyalty and merit will always be rewarded. Fadnavis’s unwavering commitment to the party, even during challenging times, has set an example for others within the organization. His elevation reflects the party’s belief in nurturing talent from within and empowering its leaders based on performance rather than expediency.


However, his image remains a double-edged sword. Fadnavis must ensure that he empowers the loyal workers who form the backbone of the BJP. During his first stint as Chief Minister, he was often criticized for being disconnected from the party’s grassroots cadre. This term presents an opportunity for him to rectify that perception and build stronger ties with the party workers. While he has outmanoeuvred rivals, his alliances with defectors and powerbrokers have drawn criticism. This time, with no immediate challengers within the BJP, Fadnavis must focus on reshaping his legacy. Steering clear of opportunistic associations and empowering grassroots workers will be crucial to avoiding the missteps of his earlier tenure.


In a state where Sharad Pawar looms large as a political adversary, Fadnavis must remain vigilant. The NCP (SP) patriarch, renowned for his tactical nous, will exploit any fissures within the Mahayuti coalition.


Fadnavis’s political story has always been one of persistence over privilege. His rise from the municipal corridors of Nagpur to the chief minister’s office in Mumbai has been marked by resilience. Today, Maharashtra’s voters demand not just political resilience but a Chief Minister capable of restoring the state’s pre-eminence on the national stage. Whether Fadnavis can rise to the occasion will define not just his career but also the BJP’s fortunes in the years to come.


Fadnavis, ever the pragmatist, seems acutely aware of this reality. His leadership will determine not only his political legacy but also the trajectory of Maharashtra’s development in the years to come. For Maharashtra’s latest Chief Minister, the future begins now.

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