Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan has officially declared that the mayoral positions in the Kalyan-Dombivli, Ulhasnagar, and Thane municipal corporations will be held by candidates from the Mahayuti alliance. This announcement comes amidst ongoing political discussions following the recent civic polls in the region.
Formal Decision Pending After Davos Return
Chavan clarified that a formal decision regarding the mayoral appointments will be made after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis returns from Davos, where he is attending the World Economic Forum. This indicates that the alliance is taking a strategic approach, ensuring all key stakeholders are present for the final deliberations.
Upcoming Meeting Between Fadnavis and Shinde
The BJP president revealed that Chief Minister Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who is also the Shiv Sena chief, will hold their first meeting after the corporation polls in Mumbai after January 24. This meeting is expected to address various post-poll issues and solidify the alliance's plans for the municipal corporations.
Downplaying Alliance Differences
Chavan downplayed any perceived disputes between the Mahayuti alliance partners, the Shiv Sena and the BJP. He emphasized that there are no significant conflicts, stating, "There are no disputes. All I can state with certainty is that the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance will sit together and resolve the issues." He reiterated that in Kalyan-Dombivli, Ulhasnagar, and Thane, the mayor will unequivocally be from the Mahayuti alliance.
Strategic Moves and Political Dynamics
Earlier, the Shiv Sena had claimed support from Opposition Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators, a strategic move to assert its political influence against the BJP. The party aims to gain the upper hand in all three civic bodies, with Thane Municipal Corporation holding particular importance as it is Shinde's home turf and political bastion. In Thane, the Shiv Sena won 75 of the 131 seats, while the BJP secured 28 seats.
Fractured Verdicts in Key Corporations
The election results have presented a complex political landscape:
- Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation: The Shiv Sena won 53 seats, narrowly ahead of the BJP's 51 seats in the 122-member corporation. The majority mark is 62, making post-poll support crucial. This corporation is significant for the Shiv Sena as Eknath Shinde's son, Shrikant Shinde, represents the Lok Sabha from the Kalyan-Dombivli constituency.
- Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation: The BJP emerged with 37 of the 78 seats, while the Shinde Sena trails with 36 seats. The Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) and MNS won two and one seats, respectively, adding to the political intricacies.
Previous Consensus on Mahayuti Mayors
Chavan and Shinde have previously held discussions regarding the civic bodies of Kalyan-Dombivli, Thane, and Ulhasnagar. They unanimously agreed to support a Mahayuti mayor in these three corporations, highlighting a collaborative effort despite the competitive nature of the polls.
This development underscores the ongoing negotiations within the Mahayuti alliance as it navigates post-election scenarios to ensure stable governance in these key municipal corporations of Maharashtra.
