Corporators from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction have been staying at a five-star hotel in Bandra West since Saturday. They will not return home until Wednesday, when their group completes registration with the Konkan divisional commissioner. This move aims to prevent poaching by other political parties.
Registration Process and Whip Authority
A Shiv Sena functionary explained the strategy. "Till the group is registered, no whip can apply to corporators. So, in order to prevent poaching, Sena corporators will move out of the hotel after that is done," the functionary said. The state gazette notification announcing winners in the BMC polls is set for release on Tuesday. Various political parties will register their groups the following day.
Mayoral Post Negotiations Intensify
Discussions about securing the Mumbai mayor's post are ongoing within the Shiv Sena. Meanwhile, the BJP has made a strong demand for the mayor's position in the Thane municipal corporation. Thane is considered a stronghold of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
BJP legislator Niranjan Davkhare publicly advocated for his party to hold the Thane mayor's post for two years. "The party made adjustments during seat-sharing negotiations, and it was now expecting to get important posts in return," Davkhare stated. He warned that if the mayor's position is not given to the BJP, the party is prepared to sit in opposition.
Government Notification and Election Timeline
The state government issued a notification on Monday for the mayor's reservation lottery. This lottery will be held on January 22 and conducted by the urban development department. Sources indicate the mayor's election will likely take place on January 31.
Shinde's Assurance and Delhi Visit
Eknath Shinde addressed the media on Monday. He confirmed that the mayor in the BMC will be from the Mahayuti alliance and stated there is no dispute with the BJP. "We will not do the same as Uddhav Thackeray, who formed a separate government in 2019, disrespecting public mandate. We respect public mandate," Shinde asserted.
Shinde emphasized that the Lok Sabha, assembly, and municipal elections were fought with the blessings of Balasaheb Thackeray and the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Accordingly, in places where we fought as Mahayuti, a Mahayuti mayor will be elected. Our fight is not for office or the chair, our fight is for development of Mumbai," he added.
Regarding the corporators' hotel stay, Shinde clarified, "A meeting of our corporators was held, and they were guided about what they should do in next five years." He noted that the Shiv Sena and BJP contested BMC elections together as Mahayuti. This alliance extends to Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, and Ulhasnagar, where Mahayuti mayors will be elected.
Shinde may travel to New Delhi to resolve the impasse ahead of the start of Sena founder Bal Thackeray's centenary on January 23. Party functionaries revealed this potential visit.
Upcoming Meeting and Political Claims
A meeting between Shiv Sena and BJP members is scheduled for Tuesday. This will be the first meeting since the BMC poll results were announced on January 16. Expected participants include Sena's ex-MP Rahul Shewale, BJP's Mumbai unit chief Ameet Satam, senior BJP corporator Prabhakar Shinde, and Sena functionary Sheetal Mhatre.
Shinde dismissed reports of new political equations forming in Mumbai or elsewhere in Maharashtra. "There is no truth to these reports," he stated firmly.
Opposition Claims and Other Parties
Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut made a claim about the situation. He alleged that Eknath Shinde is being supported by the Delhi BJP to prevent Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's chosen corporator from becoming mayor.
Apart from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, other parties like the Shiv Sena UBT and Congress are also likely to register their groups on Wednesday. In the 227-member BMC, the BJP won 89 seats, and its ally Shiv Sena secured 29 seats. In the 131-seat Thane House, the Shiv Sena won 75 seats, and the BJP won 28 seats.
The political landscape remains dynamic as parties maneuver for positions and alliances solidify ahead of crucial mayoral elections.
