BMC mayor elections are likely to be held on January 30. BJP, which became the largest party in the election results, is staking claim to the post of Mayor, while the hopes of Shinde faction seem to be weakening.
BMC Election: Once again a big development has come to light in Mumbai politics. The picture regarding the mayor elections of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation i.e. BMC now seems to be clear to a great extent. According to sources, the election of BMC Mayor is likely to be held on January 30. Meanwhile, the most important thing that has come to light is that this time the new Mayor of Mumbai will be from the Bharatiya Janata Party. The possibility of giving this post to Eknath Shinde’s party, which is part of the alliance, is almost considered to be over.
BMC is one of the richest municipalities in the country and the political influence of the party that is in power in a metropolis like Mumbai is visible at the state and national level. In such a situation, the ongoing tug of war for the post of Mayor is being considered very important.
BJP is the largest party in election results
In the recently held BMC elections, out of total 227 seats, Bharatiya Janata Party has won 89 seats. Although this figure is far from absolute majority, it makes BJP the largest party in the Municipal Corporation. This is the reason why the party leadership is now considering its claim on the post of Mayor as strong.
BJP leaders believe that the public has expressed maximum trust in them and on this basis, they have the first right on the post of Mayor. The party argues that despite being the largest party despite the alliance religion, it should get the responsibility of leadership.
Shinde group’s objection and increasing tension
On the other hand, Eknath Shinde led Shiv Sena seems to be in no mood to give up the post so easily. Shinde faction has 29 councilors and the party says that being in the alliance, they should also get a respectable share in power.
However, if insiders are to be believed, BJP has made it clear that there will be no compromise on the post of Mayor. This is the reason why there is a situation of tension between the two parties and the turmoil in Mumbai politics has intensified.
Councilors accommodated in hotel, political turmoil intensifies
Soon after the election results were announced, the newly elected councilors of the Shinde faction were accommodated in a hotel. The party says that this was a guidance session, in which the further strategy was to be explained to the councilors.
Whereas the opposition and political analysts are openly calling it hotel politics. He says that this step has been taken to keep the councilors united and to avoid any kind of rift. The councilors’ stay in the hotel for two days is raising many questions in the political circles.
Legal process of mayor election
Mayor is elected in BMC under a fixed legal process. The process of mayor election is started only after the formal formation of the new assembly of the Municipal Corporation. In this election the public does not vote directly, rather the councilors select the mayor with their votes.
The post of Mayor comes under the reservation and rotation system. Until it is decided for which category this post will be reserved this time and its official notification is not issued, no party can formally announce its candidate.
BJP’s strategic confidence
Confidence is clearly visible in the BJP camp at this time. The party leadership believes that the post of mayor should be given to him on the basis of numerical strength, organizational strength and political experience. Apart from this, the party is also indicating that in a city like Mumbai, stable and strong leadership is necessary, which only BJP can provide.
BJP sources say that if the post of Mayor is given to someone else, it will send a wrong message and may spread disappointment among the party workers. This is why the top leadership is adopting a very strict stance on this issue.
alliance test
BMC Mayor election is being considered as a big test of the ruling coalition in Maharashtra. On one hand there is a compulsion to come together in power, while on the other hand there is a fight for political supremacy.
Political experts believe that if Shinde faction does not get the post of Mayor, then the relations between the two parties may further sour in the future. However, at present both the parties are giving restrained statements in public.
New mayor can be found by January 30
According to sources, if all the formal processes are completed on time, Mumbai may get a new mayor by January 30. The election to be held on this day will not just be a selection for one post, but it will also decide the direction of municipal politics in the coming years.
Along with the Mayor, political equations are also to be made regarding the Standing Committee and other important posts. In such a situation, the coming days can prove to be very decisive for Mumbai politics.
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