The suspense over Mumbai's next mayor continued on Monday. This uncertainty follows the Mahayuti alliance securing a majority in the 227-member Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Numbers Game and Alliance Dynamics
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats. However, it needs the support of Shinde Sena's 29 seats to cross the halfway mark of 114. It is not mandatory for the single largest party to get the Mayor's post, which has fueled intense speculation.
Shinde Sena's Power-Sharing Demands
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde sought to end speculation on Sunday. He declared that Mumbai will have a Mahayuti mayor. Shinde made this statement after interacting with newly-elected Shiv Sena members of the BMC. These members have been shifted to a hotel, a move that has drawn attention.
Shinde Sena has reportedly demanded a clear and respectable share of power in the civic body. The party has presented two key options to its alliance partners. The first option involves securing the Mayor's post for half of the five-year term. The second option focuses on gaining control of the Standing Committee. This committee is considered the most powerful body in the BMC as it controls finances and key approvals.
Political Statements and Internal Pressures
Shinde also took a dig at the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). He stated that voters had chosen development over emotional issues. Rejecting allegations that corporators were being kept under watch, Shinde asserted the Shiv Sena was fearless. He explained the hotel stay provided a common platform for new corporators to interact.
Shiv Sena leader and minister Uday Samant emphasized the polls were contested as the Mahayuti alliance. He stated the Shiv Sena would not repeat the actions of the earlier Shiv Sena under Uddhav Thackeray. When asked about internal demands for the mayor's post, Samant noted every party wants the main post. He added that Bal Thackeray's centenary year gives that demand a different dimension.
Opposition Claims and Broader Context
In a related development, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut claimed many newly elected Shiv Sena corporators do not want a BJP mayor in Mumbai. Raut stated that many new corporators are originally from the undivided Shiv Sena. He suggested even Shinde does not want a BJP mayor.
Congress MP Imran Masood took a swipe at Eknath Shinde over the election results. Masood claimed Shinde is now fighting to protect his political existence. He accused the BJP of undermining its own allies.
How is the Mumbai Mayor Elected?
The Mayor of Mumbai is elected by the Corporation from amongst the councillors. Once a political party or alliance secures at least 114 seats in the BMC elections, it decides the mayor candidate. Before nominations, the Urban Development Department determines the reservation category for the mayoral post through a lottery. Categories include general, women, and backward classes.
After this, eligible candidates file their nominations. The elected corporators of the BMC then vote in a special assembly. The candidate who secures a majority in the house, or more than half of the total corporators, is elected mayor.
The BJP-Shinde-led Sena combine of Mahayuti won a clear majority in the BMC, securing 89 and 29 seats respectively. The Sena (UBT) won 65 seats, while its ally MNS secured six. The final decision on Mumbai's mayor now hinges on successful negotiations within the ruling alliance.
