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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.

Shinde objects to BJP candidates in four constituencies

Shinde

Mumbai: Tensions have surfaced within the Mahayuti alliance following the BJP’s announcement of its 99 candidates for the Maharashtra Assembly polls. The Shiv Sena faction, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has taken exception to the BJP’s decision to field candidates in four key constituencies: Kalyan East, Thane, Airoli, and Murbad. 


Specifically, Shiv Sena workers are opposed to Sulabha Gaikwad’s nomination in Kalyan East, citing her husband Ganpat Gaikwad’s alleged involvement in opening fire on Sena leader Mahesh Gaikwad. They demand a Shiv Sena leader be fielded instead.


Additionally, the BJP’s selection of Sanjay Kelkar in Thane, considered a stronghold of Shinde, has drawn ire from Shiv Sena workers. Similarly, the party is displeased with the BJP’s decision to field sitting MLA Kisan Shankar Kathore in Murbad and Ganesh Naik in Airoli. 


The latter’s son, Sandeep Naik, joined Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction after being denied a BJP ticket and will contest from Belapur. 


Notably, the BJP’s first list includes prominent figures like Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule.


The Mahayuti alliance’s internal rifts may impact its electoral prospects, as Shiv Sena workers have threatened not to campaign for the BJP candidates in the contested seats. 


With over 80 sitting MLAs re-contesting and five previous losers given another chance, the alliance’s dynamics will be closely watched. The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with results to be announced on November 23.


Key Points of Contention

  • Kalyan East: Sulabha Gaikwad’s nomination is opposed due to her husband Ganpat Gaikwad’s alleged involvement in opening fire on Sena leader Mahesh Gaikwad.

  • Thane: Sanjay Kelkar’s selection has drawn ire from Shiv Sena workers, as Thane is considered a stronghold of Shinde.

  • Murbad: The party is displeased with the BJP’s decision to field sitting MLA Kisan Shankar Kathore.

  • Airoli: Ganesh Naik’s candidacy is opposed, especially since his son Sandeep Naik joined Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction after being denied a BJP ticket.

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