BJP and Shinde-Led Shiv Sena Finalize Group Leadership in Mumbai's Civic Body
In a significant political development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde have officially appointed their respective group leaders for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). This move marks a crucial step in the formalization of the Mahayuti alliance's structure within India's richest civic body.
Formal Registration Completed at Konkan Bhavan
On Monday, elected representatives from the Mahayuti alliance, which comprises the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), convened at the BMC headquarters. Following this meeting, they proceeded to Konkan Bhavan to complete the official group registration process with the Konkan divisional commissioner.
The proceedings were attended by senior BJP leaders, including Mumbai BJP president Amit Satam and state minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, underscoring the importance of this administrative milestone.
Appointment of Key Group Leaders
The BJP has designated Dahisar corporator Ganesh Khankar as its group leader in the BMC. Khankar, a first-time corporator from Ward 7 (Dahisar), also serves as the Mumbai general secretary of the BJP. Known within party circles for his organisational capabilities and election management skills, he secured his seat by defeating Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Saurabh Ghosalkar in the recent BMC elections.
On the other hand, the Shiv Sena has named Wadala corporator Amey Ghole as its group leader. Ghole is a two-time corporator from Wadala and is considered a young yet experienced face within the party. During his tenure in the undivided Shiv Sena, he served as chairman of the BMC's Health Committee, where he played a pivotal role in shaping public health initiatives. Additionally, Ghole holds the position of general secretary of the Yuva Sena, the party's youth wing, and is recognized for his strong grassroots connect across Mumbai.
Ghole, who was previously considered close to Aaditya Thackeray, joined the Shiv Sena in 2023 following the party split and is widely regarded as a trusted aide of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He won the recent BMC election from Wadala with an impressive margin of over 11,000 votes. His appointment was formally announced by former MP and Shiv Sena leader Rahul Shewale.
Strengthening of Alliance and Political Dynamics
As part of the arrangement, three corporators from both factions of the Nationalist Congress Party have extended their support to the Shiv Sena group. This strategic move has increased the Shiv Sena's strength from 29 to 32 members in the 227-member civic body, further solidifying the Mahayuti alliance's position.
Despite securing a clear numerical advantage along with its alliance partners, the group registration process had faced delays due to internal differences over whether to opt for joint or separate registrations. The completion of this process now sets the stage for the next phase of civic governance.
Implications for BMC Leadership and Committees
With the group registrations by the BJP and Shiv Sena now complete, the formal process for electing the mayor, deputy mayor, and forming the standing committee and other civic committees is expected to commence shortly. Notably, the mayor's post in the BMC has been reserved for a woman candidate from the open category.
While BJP leaders have asserted that the party will claim the mayor's post as the single largest party in the civic body, the name of the mayoral candidate is yet to be finalized. According to sources, the Shiv Sena is likely to be offered the post of deputy mayor along with key committee positions, excluding the standing committee.
Broader Political Context
It is worth noting that other political parties, including Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), and AIMIM, had already completed their group registrations with the Konkan divisional commissioner. The timely completion by the Mahayuti alliance ensures that all major factions are now formally recognized within the BMC framework.
This development not only highlights the ongoing political realignments in Maharashtra but also underscores the strategic preparations for effective governance in Mumbai's municipal administration. The appointments of Khankar and Ghole are seen as efforts to bolster the alliance's operational efficiency and political outreach in the bustling metropolis.
