After almost three decades, there has been a big change in the politics of Mumbai. The country’s richest municipal body, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), is now ruled by BJP. Mahayuti alliance has crossed the majority mark. BJP has reached the position of making mayor of Mumbai for the first time. At the same time, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has also saved his credibility with his performance. On the other hand, Thackeray brothers have suffered a major setback, while Asaduddin Owaisi’s party AIMIM has surprised everyone and registered a strong lead.
Mahayuti crossed the majority mark
114 seats were needed for majority in the 227-member BMC House. On Friday, Mahayuti managed to cross this figure. BJP won 89 seats, while Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena got 29 seats. In this way, the alliance has a slight edge, but for major decisions, BJP will have to depend on the Shinde faction.
BJP will get the mayor of Mumbai
BJP MLA and Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar has clearly said that the Mayor of Mumbai will be from BJP. Responding to this, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that for him, change in the lives of Mumbaikars is more important than the post. However, it is believed that Shinde faction may demand important posts, especially the Standing Committee.
Shock to Thackeray brothers, still hold on in Marathi areas
Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray’s MNS together got 71 seats. Uddhav faction won 65 seats and MNS won 6 seats. The Thackeray family retained its hold in the traditional Marathi areas of Mumbai such as Dadar, Parel, Lalbagh, Worli and Shivri. Shinde faction’s candidate had to face defeat in Worli. However, this alliance could not show any effect in areas like Thane and Navi Mumbai.
Shinde saved his credibility, became a strong ally of BJP
After the election results, Eknath Shinde has emerged as a strong ally for BJP. While his Shiv Sena won 29 seats, it got less seats than the Thackeray faction, but the key to power seems to be in his hands. Due to this, questions have also been raised on the political importance of Ajit Pawar.
Owaisi’s party has a huge lead
The most shocking performance in this election was of Asaduddin Owaisi’s party MIM. The party increased its seats from 2 to 8. In many minority dominated areas, MIM caused losses to Samajwadi Party and Congress. It is believed that Owaisi’s statements had an impact on minority votes.
Congress fought alone
This time Congress contested the elections separately from Maha Vikas Aghadi. The party got 24 seats, which is less than in 2017. Congress leaders say that by staying away from the alliance they saved North Indian and Muslim votes. However, AIMIM’s rise also harmed Congress.
Effect of ‘Triple Engine Government’
According to analysts, voters supported BJP’s slogan of a single party government at the centre, state and city. BJP’s Hindutva and development agenda overshadowed the Thackeray faction’s Marathi identity politics. BJP got support from different communities.
