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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.

Uddhav, Raj hoping for political miracle

Mumbai: Former Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray was seen glowing as he celebrated his ‘Sapphire’ (65th) birthday with his family plus a huge crowd of supporters.

 

The revelry became a major political event when in walked his cousin and ex-bete-noire, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray, who is said to stepped inside his erstwhile home of Matoshri after almost six years; the last occasion was to invite Uddhav and family for son Amit’s wedding (January 2019).

 

Lot of water has flowed in the Mithi River since – two Lok Sabha and two Assembly elections, the 2019 state polls saw a reluctant Uddhav suddenly catapulted to the CM’s throne – while Raj continued to play musical chairs and video clips.

 

After the cake-cutting and ‘say cheese’ instances, the most-anticipated moment came – when the cousin brothers went in for private confabulations, as party leaders and workers strained their eyes and ears.

 

However, belying the salubrious political ambience of the past few weeks, there were no earth-shattering announcements, barring Raj calling Uddhav his ‘bandhu’ and – most importantly – declaring him as the ‘Shiv Sena Chief’, besides laudatory social media posts from both sides.

  

Public perception

Weighing heavily are aspects like the public perception of the MNS which recently whipped up bad blood for enforcing Marathi language on non-speakers, leading to an outcry.

 

The SS (UBT) is also wary about the prospects of losing its minority and North Indian supporters given the MNS’ shrill campaigns targeting loudspeakers in mosques or attacking ‘outsiders’ coming to appear for various job-oriented public examinations in Maharashtra.

 

The other Maharashtra Vikas Allies (MVA) like Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (SP) have not exactly danced with joy at the proposed SS(UBT)-MNS pact, with leaders privately questioning the MNS’ political strength and credibility given Raj’s mercurial behaviour in the past 15 years.

 

Avoiding a direct response whether MNS could be included in the MVA bloc, senior functionaries of Congress-NCP (SP) pass the buck, saying “it’s upto the top leaders to decide” in the overall interest of the state.

 

The successful birthday bash on July 27 notwithstanding, the real celebrations - or prospects of 1+1=11 expressed by a MNS leader - remain a distant dream.

 

Cautious optimism over political handshake

Party leaders on both sides who spoke with ‘The Perfect Voice’ sought to downplay media speculation of a ‘resumption of political partnership’, with one MNS office-bearer even asking, “When did the talks stop?” and a SS (UBT) prominent one wondering what was the immediate occasion for ‘tie-up’ as the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are due after four years.

 

“The political alliance talks are still at a nascent stage… There’s a long road to cover. The upcoming civic polls are a close target to clinch it, but a lot of groundwork is needed,” a SS (UBT) leader said guardedly.

 

“That is true… We have to clear up many issues before a formal partnership is born. Both sides are working on it, adopting a practical approach but without expecting miracles,” a MNS leader said cautiously.

 

No one had any idea Raj would visit Uddhav

No one had any idea that Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray would arrive at Matoshree to wish Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray on his 65th birthday, the latter's party mouthpiece 'Saamana' said on Monday.


The Saamana report said MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar called Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut informing him that Raj is visiting Matoshree in Bandra East to wish Uddhav.


The report said Raj left Shivthirth, his residence in Shivaji Park in Dadar, at 11.30 am. Raut, also Saamana's executive editor, then informed Uddhav about Raj's visit.


When Raj reached Matoshree at 12 noon on Sunday, Uddhav welcomed him at the entrance. Both the cousins then went to the seat that was used by Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray and paid respect.


In a related development, BJP minister Nitish Rane said there is no reason for anyone to feel sad about anyone if the family has come together.


But Raj has to be appreciated for showing a big heart, he said. 

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