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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.

Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar: Real Reunion or Smart Moves?

The Pawars’ political tango unsettles allies, keeps rivals guessing.

Politics in Maharashtra has never lacked for drama. But few sagas are as riveting—or as consequential—as the unfolding story of Sharad Pawar and his estranged nephew, Ajit Pawar. Once united under the banner of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the two leaders have taken increasingly divergent paths. Now, on the eve of crucial municipal and local-body elections, whispers of a possible reunion are sending ripples through the state’s political class.


The big split in the NCP occurred on July 2, 2023 when Ajit Pawar and some senior leaders joined the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance. He became Deputy Chief Minister in the Eknath Shinde government. This was a big shift because the NCP has always been known for being a secular and moderate party, not leaning towards any religion or extreme views. The split became official in February 2024, when the Election Commission gave Ajit Pawar's group the NCP name. Sharad Pawar’s group got a new name: NCP (SP), meaning Sharad Pawar’s group.


Lately, Sharad and Ajit Pawar have been seen together at public events, be it family functions, meetings on farming and technology. These moments have made many wonder whether the 84-year-old uncle and his mercurial nephew are going to join hands again, especially with local elections coming up?


Sharad Pawar has said that his team is discussing what to do next. His daughter,Supriya Sule, who is a Member of Parliament and also the working president ofhis party, will play a key role in deciding if they should merge with Ajit Pawar’sgroup.


But coming back together won’t be easy. Ajit Pawar’s team wants some leadersfrom Sharad Pawar’s side to say sorry for speaking against him in the past.Amol Mitkari, a spokesperson for Ajit’s group, said that there will be strictconditions, and Ajit Pawar will have the final word on everything.


This demand for apologies has divided opinions in Sharad Pawar’s camp. Someleaders believe they should reunite to become politically stronger, while othersdon’t want to give up their identity and principles.


If Sharad and Ajit Pawar do come together, it could cause problems in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. This group includes NCP (SP), Congress, and Shiv Sena (UBT). The Congress party, seeing possible changes, has told its local leaders to get ready for the elections alone. This might mean Congress is thinking of going solo.


Rohit Pawar, Sharad Pawar’s grandnephew and a young MLA, has also shared that some MVA leaders are not doing enough to solve public problems. Thisshows that the alliance is already facing some internal issues.There are many reasons behind this possible reunion. For Sharad Pawar,coming back with Ajit could help the party win more elections and become strong again in Maharashtra. On the other hand, Ajit Pawar, even though he isin power, might need the original NCP’s popularity and local networks to win people’s trust.


This plan is not simple. One major issue is the BJP. Sharad Pawar has always presented himself as a secular leader, meaning he doesn’t support religious politics. But Ajit Pawar is now with the BJP, a party Sharad has often opposed. If they come together, people will question whether this is really about helping the public or just staying in power.


Party workers are also confused. Arecent NCP (SP) meeting in Mumbai, led by state president Jayant Patil, showed that workers are unsure what will happen. Many said the party should make its position clear soon, especially before elections. This story shows how family ties and political strategy often get mixed up in Indian politics. Yes, Sharad Pawar attending Ajit Pawar’s family functions shows that they still care for each other personally. But in politics, such events are rarely just emotional as they often signal of possible alliances.


Sharad Pawar has a long reputation for being a clever and experienced politician. He is known for always keeping his options open. He has worked with both opposition and ruling parties over the years. Some people see this as smart politics, while others find it confusing. But it has helped him stay relevant.


Still, there’s a tricky part. If Sharad Pawar joins with Ajit again, people, especially younger voters, will ask: Is this about serving the people or just about staying powerful? Many young people care about honesty and clear values in politics.


The BJP is watching all of this very carefully. Publicly, BJP leaders like Chandrakant Patil have said there’s nothing to the reunion rumours. But behind the scenes, the party is keeping a close eye. That’s because if the NCP unites again, it could affect the BJP’s own chances in the upcoming local elections. This situation shows how political survival often comes before ideology.


Watching leaders like Sharad and Ajit Pawar can teach young people how complex politics really is. It is not just about making good speeches, but also about timing, strategy and making deals.


Indian politics is seldom boring. The story of the Pawar family proves that. For young voters, this is a great example of how political decisions are influenced by relationships, strategy, and the need to win.


Whether or not uncle and nephew bury the hatchet, one thing is certain: Maharashtra’s politics, like its monsoon, promises another season of storms.

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