Uddhav Thackeray Vows to Continue Fight After BMC Election Setback
Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray declared on Saturday that his party could still secure the mayor's position in Mumbai "if God is willing." He made this statement just one day after the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena alliance claimed victory in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections.
Thackeray Accuses BJP of Betrayal and Mortgaging Mumbai
Addressing party workers following the electoral defeat, Thackeray launched a sharp attack on the BJP. He accused the ruling party of attempting to mortgage Mumbai and alleged that the alliance achieved its win through acts of betrayal. Thackeray asserted that the Marathi community would never forgive what he described as a serious wrongdoing.
"The BJP believes it has wiped out Shiv Sena (UBT), but this is far from the truth," Thackeray stated. He emphasized that despite employing every possible tactic, the BJP failed to purchase his party's loyalty. "They could not finish off Shiv Sena on the ground," he added, seemingly referencing the 65 seats his faction won in the BMC.
Thackeray reiterated his strong desire to see a Shiv Sena (UBT) mayor lead Mumbai. He expressed confidence that this objective would be realized if divine will permits. The Sena leader insisted the political contest is far from concluded. "The battle has not ended," he proclaimed. "It has only just begun."
BMC Election Results Breakdown
The election for the 227-member Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation delivered clear numbers. The BJP emerged as the single largest party, securing 89 seats. Its ally, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, won 29 seats. On the opposition side, Shiv Sena (UBT) captured 65 seats.
Other parties made smaller gains. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) clinched six seats. The Congress party, contesting in alliance with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, secured 24 seats. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) won eight seats. The Nationalist Congress Party took three seats, the Samajwadi Party won two, and the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) managed just one seat.
Political Maneuvering and Reactions Intensify
In a strategic move, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has relocated his party's newly elected corporators to a hotel. This step serves as a safeguard against potential poaching or last-minute defections that could shift the numbers and impact control of the civic body. Party leaders described the action as a necessary precaution to prevent horse-trading, especially with narrow margins and the crucial mayoral election approaching.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance's triumph in the Maharashtra civic polls. He credited the success to the government's "pro-people good governance" approach. Thanking voters for their support, the Prime Minister stated that the NDA's "vision for development has struck a chord" with the people of the state.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed BJP workers at the party office in Mumbai. "BJP and Mahayuti are going to form their 25 mayors after these elections," Fadnavis announced, signaling confidence in extending the alliance's control across municipal corporations in Maharashtra.
The political landscape in Mumbai remains charged as parties prepare for the next phase of the contest: the election of the city's mayor.
