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...

min read

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.

Time’s Up

Correspondent
Jan 1, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Jan 2, 2025

Indian test cricket is at a crossroads. The twin titans, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, once heralded as the pillars of the team’s success, have now become its Achilles’ heel. Their abysmal performances in recent matches, capped by a crushing 284-run defeat in Melbourne and a humiliating 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand in November, have exposed a leadership vacuum and a batting collapse of epic proportions. The time has come to wield the axe, not for the sake of symbolism, but to rescue Indian cricket from a prolonged slump.

Rohit’s decision to return to the top of the order in Melbourne was meant to rekindle his waning form. Instead, it shattered the team’s already fragile confidence.

Dismissed for a paltry nine runs, his tour aggregate of 31 runs at an average of 6.20 is the worst by any visiting captain in Australia, worse even than pacer Courtney Walsh’s record as a tailender. The result? India capitulated from a steady 121 for 3 to a dismal 155 all out, handing Australia a decisive lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Tactical missteps are no stranger to Rohit. From misjudged batting orders to poor field placements, his captaincy lacks the acumen required at the highest level. As Sunil Gavaskar had aptly suggested after the New Zealand rout, it is time for Rohit to be relieved of his captaincy duties. JaspritBumrah, with his sharp cricketing mind and calm demeanour, is a natural choice to lead India into a new era.

Kohli’s struggles are equally glaring. His tour has been marred by repeated dismissals outside the off-stump - a damning indicator of a batsman who has lost his touch. His refusal to adapt, coupled with a string of low scores, reflects poorly not just on his form but also on his leadership as a senior player.

Fans and critics alike are hesitant to hold Kohli accountable, fearing backlash or clinging to memories of his glorious past. But nostalgia cannot dictate the future of Indian cricket. Kohli must be shown the door or relegated down the batting order, making way for the next generation of talent.

Indian cricket boasts an enviable bench strength. The emergence of Yashasvi Jaiswal as a generational superstar underscores the team’s resilience and depth. It is time to embrace this new crop of players and build a team for the future. For too long, the shadow of Sharma and Kohli has stifled growth, with selectors reluctant to make the bold calls necessary for progress.

The failures of this duo are symptomatic of a larger malaise: a reluctance to innovate, an inability to adapt and an over-reliance on fading stars. As painful as it may seem, sacking Sharma and Kohli is not just an option but an imperative.

The choice before Indian cricket is stark. Cling to the past and risk mediocrity or make the tough decisions now and secure a brighter future. For the sake of Indian cricket, the latter must prevail.

Seventy-six mayors ruled BMC since 1931

Time’s Up

Recent Posts

Comments