The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) mayoral race has intensified, marked by political maneuvering and accusations. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is vying for the prestigious post for his Shiv Sena faction, while Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleges phone tapping of corporators. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray appears to be "distraught" amidst political developments in Kalyan.

Shinde Stakes Claim

Eknath Shinde has projected his claim to the mayor's post as a symbolic gesture to honor Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, whose birth centenary will be observed next year. While the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats in the 227-member civic body, it fell short of an outright majority. Shinde's Shiv Sena faction secured 29 seats, and together the alliance commands a comfortable majority. Shinde has maintained that Mumbai will have a Mahayuti mayor and said the demand for a Shiv Sena mayor reflects the sentiments of party workers, especially in a year marking Bal Thackeray's legacy. Sources indicate that Shinde's faction initially sought the mayoral position for the first year, after which the BJP could hold the post for the remaining four years. Shinde appears firm on the powerful Mayor's post in the key civic body and control over the Mayor's post is critical. The BMC has been a traditional Shiv Sena bastion for 25 years, and conceding the Mayor's position will only send negative perceptions to the cadres, especially after Shinde losing the chief minister's post and the home portfolio after the 2024 Assembly elections.

Raut Alleges Phone Tapping

Adding another layer of complexity, Sanjay Raut has accused the ruling alliance of surveillance and phone tapping of corporators. Raut claimed that the phones of newly elected BJP and Shiv Sena corporators were being tapped and that corporators were being monitored and kept under watch by the ruling alliance. He also alleged that decisions regarding Mumbai's mayor were being dictated from Delhi, which he described as an affront to Maharashtra's autonomy. The BJP has dismissed these allegations, with Maharashtra BJP media in-charge Navnath Ban stating that the party doesn't need to engage in phone tapping and questioned Raut about alleged surveillance during the tenure of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

Raj Thackeray and Kalyan Developments

Amidst these developments, Raj Thackeray's MNS has extended support to the Shinde-led Shiv Sena in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) elections. In the 122-member KDMC, the Shiv Sena has emerged as the single largest party by winning 53 seats, while ally BJP stands second with 50 seats. With the support of the MNS, which has bagged five seats, the total strength of the alliance is now 108. This move has fueled speculation about potential shifts in political alliances and strategies. Separately, Raj Thackeray appeared before the Thane Railway Court in connection with a 2008 rioting case, where he pleaded not guilty to charges related to an alleged assault on North Indian job aspirants during a railway recruitment drive at Kalyan station. The MNS chief has also condemned an attack on a Marathi family in Kalyan, warning of action if the state government fails to act strongly in the matter.