The battle for the Mayor's post in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has intensified, with the political maneuvering reaching New Delhi. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has invoked the name of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray amidst the ongoing tussle with ally BJP over who will control Mumbai's civic body. Simultaneously, key leaders from both the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the BJP are reportedly in the capital to strategize and negotiate a power-sharing formula.
The recently concluded BMC elections saw the BJP emerge as the single largest party, securing 89 seats in the 227-member corporation. However, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, with its 29 seats, holds the key to the Mahayuti alliance crossing the crucial halfway mark of 114. This has led to intense bargaining between the two parties, with the Mayor's post becoming the central point of contention.
Eknath Shinde has publicly stated that the next Mayor of Mumbai will be from the Mahayuti alliance. However, he has also subtly indicated Shiv Sena's claim to the post, suggesting it would be a fitting tribute to Bal Thackeray in his birth centenary year. "Some Shiv Sainiks have the feeling that a Shiv Sena mayor should be installed in the BMC," Shinde said, while also emphasizing that the decision would not go against the public mandate.
Sources within the Shiv Sena suggest that Shinde is aware that the BJP may not readily concede the Mayor's post. However, by publicly raising the demand, Shinde aims to assert his position and ensure that his party is not seen as being on the back foot. The Shinde faction is reportedly seeking a 50-50 power-sharing arrangement, potentially involving a split term for the Mayor's post, with the Shiv Sena holding it for the first 2.5 years to coincide with Balasaheb Thackeray's birth centenary.
The BJP, while acknowledging the alliance, has not yet revealed its cards. A BJP legislator, Niranjan Davkhare, has made a strong pitch for the party to hold the Mayor's post. Some reports suggest that the BJP might concede the Mayor's position to the Shinde Sena while retaining control of the Standing Committee. However, senior BJP leaders have maintained that no final decision has been taken and that the matter will be discussed in the party's core committee meeting upon Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's return from the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Adding to the drama, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena moved its newly elected corporators to a luxury hotel in Mumbai, raising eyebrows and drawing criticism from the opposition. While the party claimed it was for an "orientation session," rivals have alleged "resort politics" and accused the Shinde faction of trying to prevent potential poaching of corporators. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut questioned the need for such a move, while Uddhav Thackeray took a dig at the BJP, suggesting that his party could still have its Mayor if "God" was willing.
The election for the Mayor's post is likely to take place on January 31. The State Urban Development Department will conduct a lottery on January 22 to determine the reservation category for the post, which is reserved on a rotational basis for various categories including women, Scheduled Castes, and OBCs. The outcome of the BMC Mayor election will not only determine the leadership of Mumbai's civic body but also have significant implications for the future of the Mahayuti alliance and the political landscape of Maharashtra.
