BMC elections: Parties preparing to contest on their own?

Mumbai municipal polls are scheduled for 2022. BJP has taken the lead by announcing Mission Mumbai. Shiv Sena and the Congress have also started preparations to contest on their own. Here is a special report on the political equations in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation.

Mumbai: Shiv Sena has been in power in Mumbai municipal corporation, civic body of financial capital of the nation, for more than 25 years. BJP has announced Mission Mumbai against Shiv Sena, which is saffron party’s erstwhile ally. While BJP is going to pose a bitter challenge to Shiv Sena, Congress has also declared that it will contest the elections alone. Uddhav Thakre has also appealed Shivsainiks to be ready for polls.

It shows that all political parties have started preparations for the civic polls one and quarter years in advance. But, Mumbai mayor expects there will be a Mahavikas Aghadi (alliance) as it was formed in state elections. Read this special report…

BJP’s volition

Shiv Sena has been in power in Mumbai municipal corporation for more than 25 years. In all these years, BJP was an ally of Shiv Sena. Last year, after the breaking of Shiv Sena and BJP alliance, Shiv Sena formed the government by making an alliance with Congress and NCP. As Shiv Sena captured the power, BJP decided to sit in opposition. In BMC also, BJP took a similar decision. But no stone was left unturned by BJP to corner the Sena. In BJP executive board meeting which was held yesterday, BJP announced vow to hoist a saffron flag on BMC.

Cong to go it alone

Congress may contest on its own While Shiv Sena is in power in BMC, Congress sits in opposition. The opposition leader in BMC, Ravi Raja said that we are working to keep an eye on parties in power. In last elections, former chief minister Devendra Fadanvis has said about coming back to power. But, that has not happened. Now, the atmosphere is changed. Even if Mahavikas Aghadi is ruling in the state, the local Congress workers’ sentiments are intense about contesting alone. The workers have put forward their feelings before Maharashtra in-charge K H Patil in a meeting. Raja said that a final decision about fighting polls on its own or as a part of MVA, will be taken by Congress high command and Mumbai Congress president.

Shivsainks requested to be ready

BJP, once a dear friend has become an enemy of Shiv Sena. After BJP’s announcement of Mission Mumbai, Shiv Sena Sworking president and chief minister Uddhav Thakre called a meeting of Sena office bearers in Mumbai at Varsha. Sena MLA Prakash Fatarpekar asked Shivsainiks to be prepared for BMC polls and work with more vigour. He said that CM has raised Shivsainiks’ moral courage by praising their work in Corona crisis.

Fatarpekar asked Shiv Sena office bearers to introspect where the Sena failed and to begin work. He said that, due to Corona crisis, civil works could not be done but now Sena has resolved to work, come what may.

Triple fight to be witnessed?

Last Mumbai Municipal polls were held in 2017. Shivsena, BJP, Congress and NCP fought elections separately. The next BMC polls are scheduled in 2022. It was speculated that the elections will be fought between BJP versus Mahavikas Aghadi. However, Congress has also started preparations to fight alone. So, now speculations are that the elections may be a triple battle.

The elections may be fought amongst Shiv Sena, BJP and Congress. Shiv Sena may go with NCP and Samajwadi Party also. Expectations of MVA alliance as there is a possibility of Shivsena and Congress fighting alone for BMC. Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar said that the leaders of Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP will come together and take a decision on fighting polls. She expressed hope that, like Mahavikas Aghadi ruling in the state, the same alliance will be formed in BMC.

Strength in BMC

Shiv Sena-----------96

BJP-----------------84

Congress-----------29

NCP -----------------9

SP-------------------6

MIM-----------------2

MNS ----------------1