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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.

Providing facilities in line with public needs is govt's duty: UP CM

  • PTI
  • Jun 6, 2025
  • 3 min read


Gorakhpur: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said it is the responsibility of a popular government to provide infrastructure and facilities that align with the needs of a civilised society.


By tailoring services according to different income groups, the government can help make people's lives easier, he added.


The CM was speaking at the inauguration of the city's second Kalyan Mandapam in Surajkund Colony, constructed by the municipal corporation at a cost of Rs 4.52 crore in over 35,500 square feet of land.


Adityanath highlighted that Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation is the first in the state to initiate such community halls for weddings and other events, especially to serve people from lower and middle-income groups.


He said having access to a well-equipped venue like Kalyan Mandapam for Rs 11,000 to Rs ?25,000 makes ceremonial functions affordable and dignified. Five more Kalyan Mandapams are currently under construction in the city.


The CM informed that he had contributed the entire amount from his MLA fund for the construction of these halls and hoped that Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation would become a model for other civic bodies, according to an official statement.


Adityanath stressed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Smart City vision must also evolve into a "Safe City" model.


"We must build cities where women, traders, children, and every citizen feels safe. We need strong systems in place to ensure that those attempting to disrupt peace know the consequences," he said.


He encouraged citizens to install security cameras outside their homes to boost safety.


The Chief Minister also called for collective responsibility in maintaining cleanliness and protecting the environment urged councillors to form 'mohalla committees' in each ward, tasking them with overseeing sanitation and environmental efforts such as tree plantations.


He emphasised that Prime Minister Modi has made cleanliness a national priority, and it is everyone's duty to contribute.


On impact of climate change, CM Adityanath cited instances of extreme weather events and called for returning to nature to find solutions.


He supported PM Modi's appeal to plant a tree in the name of one's mother and proposed plantation drives along riverbanks to protect catchment areas.


"Rivers are like arteries of the nation's body. If they vanish, water crises arise," he said, recalling how the Gaurdhoiya stream, now being revived, was once a river but became a drain due to encroachments.


He announced that 50 crore saplings are ready for a 35-crore tree plantation drive this year.


CM Adityanath announced that the 75-bedded working women's hostel being built by Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation will be named after Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar, an icon of women empowerment and devotion to culture and religion.


The dedication coincides with Holkar's 300th birth anniversary and honours her contributions to empowering women, farmers, and artisans, as well as restoring several iconic temples across India, he noted.


Highlighting Gorakhpur's transformation, the CM spoke about improvements in road connectivity, including four-lane roads and inner-city ring roads.


He cited various projects undertaken by the municipal corporation -- integrated waste management at Suthni, multi-level parking at Bandhu Singh Park, a food street in Indira Bal Vihar, beautification of Ghantaghar and Laldiggi Park, a commercial complex in TP Nagar, and the Kanha Upvan shelter in Tal Nador -- as steps that are changing the urban experience.


He urged people to be both sensitive and vigilant in the process of development.


The CM also called on citizens to celebrate International Yoga Day on June 21 with grandeur, organising events in every ward and neighbourhood.


"Yoga is a guarantee of good health, and PM Modi has given it global recognition," he said. He also urged people to plant a tree in their mother's name on June 23, the death anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who advocated for 'One Nation, One Law'.


Earlier, the CM inaugurated the Kalyan Mandapam and toured the facility to inspect its infrastructure and services. On stage, he honoured 10 municipal employees with certificates and gifts for their outstanding work.

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