In a dramatic political move, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction decided on Saturday to shift all its 29 newly elected Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation corporators to a luxury hotel in Mumbai. This action represents a highly unusual instance of resort politics being deployed in a civic body election.
Why This Decision Came Now
The move came despite the Sena and its ally, the BJP, securing a clear majority by winning 118 of the 227 seats in the BMC. This victory ended the Thackeray family's over two-decade-long hold on the country's richest civic body.
Earlier in the day, former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray made a veiled remark that stirred the political pot. His Shiv Sena (UBT) finished second with 65 seats despite being severely weakened by the June 2022 split in the then undivided Shiv Sena.
Thackeray told party workers that it was his dream to install a Shiv Sena (UBT) mayor in Mumbai. He added that if God is willing, this dream would be realized.
Direct Threats from the Opposition
If Uddhav kept his cards close to his chest, his second-in-command Sanjay Raut was more direct. The Rajya Sabha member pointed out that his party still has significant numbers in the Mumbai civic body.
Raut stated that together with other parties, they could topple the victors anytime. However, he added that they respect democracy.
The Precarious Numbers Game
Together, non-BJP and non-Shiv Sena parties have 109 corporators. This number is just five short of the majority mark. With the BJP firmly established as the largest party, and given Maharashtra's long history of politicians switching sides frequently, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde finds himself vulnerable.
Shinde himself has benefited from such political defections in the past. His vulnerability also stems from another significant factor.
Shinde's Mayoral Headache
The Shiv Sena's split led to the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray government. After this, Shinde joined hands with the BJP, which elevated him to the post of chief minister.
This elevation came at Devendra Fadnavis's expense. Fadnavis was made deputy chief minister despite having earlier served as chief minister. He had also publicly announced that he would stay out of the government.
The roles were reversed after the 2024 Maharashtra assembly polls. Shinde also lost out on the coveted home portfolio, which stayed with Fadnavis. Fadnavis had also held this portfolio as deputy chief minister.
Now, Shinde faces the real possibility of the Shiv Sena being denied the Mumbai mayor's post as well. The BJP would be reluctant to cede this position. A few disgruntled Sena corporators, including aspirants to the mayor's post, could attempt a return to the Thackeray faction.
Official Statements and Reactions
Officially, the party maintains that the corporators are being shifted to a luxury hotel in Bandra. The stated reason is to allow them to refresh themselves after a hectic election season.
On his part, Devendra Fadnavis took a lighter view of the situation. He noted that he is also called Deva, referring to the God reference made by Uddhav Thackeray.
Fadnavis stated that God above has decided that there will be a Mahayuti mayor. Mahayuti refers to the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in Maharashtra.
With the stakes high, the coming days would reveal whether Shinde ultimately has his way. Political observers note that internal dissent within the Shiv Sena cannot be ruled out completely.
