Political turmoil is possible in BMC

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BJP and Shinde faction win in BMC elections, shock for Uddhav Thackeray

Mumbai. The landslide victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Eknath Shinde faction in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections has dealt a significant blow to Uddhav Thackeray. However, Uddhav Thackeray is not ready to accept defeat and claims that he has leadership on the post of Mayor. After his statement, councilors of Shinde group have been sent to the resort for security purposes. BJP has established complete dominance on 89 seats of BMC, due to which the possibility of BJP capturing the post of Mayor has increased. Uddhav Thackeray’s claims have created a stir in the political environment.

Shiv Sena’s division and election results

For the last two decades, BMC was ruled by the undivided Shiv Sena. But recently the division of Shiv Sena into two factions changed the political equation. In this election, the Uddhav faction got 65 seats, while the Shinde faction got 29 seats. The total number of seats won by both the factions is 94, while BJP has won 89 seats. If Shiv Sena had not divided, BJP’s position would have remained weak.

Views of Shiv Sena leaders

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sunil Prabhu has said that BJP has got success only because of the division of Shiv Sena. Former Congress leader Sanjay Jha also reiterated that if Shiv Sena had been united, it would have been difficult for BJP to win in BMC. He suggested that if both the groups come together, it is possible to make BJP sit in the opposition.

Distribution of seats and possibilities in the elections

Uddhav Thackeray has clarified that the possibility of his party becoming mayor still remains. Soon after, Shinde’s councilors were sent to the resort. The total seats of BJP and Shinde faction together are 118, while 114 seats are required for majority in this 227 seat municipal corporation. In this election, Ajit Pawar contested alone and won three seats. If he gets his support, this number will increase to 121.

Thackeray family’s joint efforts and results

Despite the joint efforts of Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, their total seats have been 71. Apart from this, one seat has been won by NCP (Sharad Pawar). If Congress joins them, a total of 24 more seats will be added. If other parties like AIMIM and Samajwadi Party also join hands, the total number of seats will increase to 106. Only 8 seats will be left short for majority.

The results of this election have proved to be a major challenge for the Thackeray family, even though Uddhav Thackeray’s party is slightly ahead of the Shinde faction in terms of seats. With Uddhav Thackeray winning 65 seats, he is looking forward to playing a strong opposition role in BMC.