Mumbai Mayor Lottery Scheduled for January 22
Mumbai faces a crucial week in its civic leadership. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will hold a lottery on January 22 to decide the reservation category for the mayor's post. This process determines whether the position goes to the open category, SC/ST, OBC, or a woman candidate.
Election Timeline Takes Shape
Sources confirm the lottery date. Once officials determine the category, they will issue a notification either on January 22 or the following day. The election process then requires a mandatory seven-day notice period.
If the notification comes on January 22, the mayoral election will likely occur on January 29 or 30. A notification on January 23 would push the election to January 30 or 31. This timeline means discussions about power-sharing arrangements within the BMC will probably continue throughout the month.
Chief Minister's Davos Agenda
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis left for Davos on Sunday. He will attend the World Economic Forum's 56th annual meeting, which runs from January 19 to 23. The event gathers nearly 3,000 leaders from more than 130 countries.
Fadnavis plans to return on January 24. He is accompanied by Industries Minister Uday Samant and several senior officials. The Maharashtra delegation aims to attract foreign direct investment and industrial projects that can generate jobs.
"The WEF 2026 will play an important role in moving Maharashtra towards a $1 trillion economy," Fadnavis stated. He highlighted that Maharashtra secured investment agreements worth Rs 16 lakh crore last year. The government now targets even more investments this year.
Political Discussions Continue
Before his departure, Fadnavis addressed questions about the mayor selection. He mentioned that he, along with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and other leaders, would decide the mayor. This statement came in response to Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut's comment about a potential Sena mayor.
Fadnavis responded with sarcasm, noting he wasn't sure if Raut referred to God above or to him, since people sometimes call him "Devabhau." The political banter underscores the ongoing negotiations behind the scenes.
In Zurich, Fadnavis also addressed the Indian diaspora. He claimed the BJP-led government has transformed Mumbai. His remarks aim to showcase development achievements while engaging with global investors in Davos.
The state government's press release emphasized special focus on discussions with global industry groups, investors, and policymakers. These talks aim to boost Maharashtra's economic growth through strategic partnerships and projects.
