Elections were recently held in 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra. Although the BJP emerged as the largest party in these elections, in several municipal corporations it had to seek the support of alliance partners or, in some cases, factions of the opposition. At the same time, parties that are part of the ruling coalition at the state level took time to empower local leaders to take independent decisions, even if that meant contesting against their allies at the local level.
Against this backdrop, political drama unfolded across most municipal corporations over the formation of local governments. Simultaneously, the mayoral reservation lottery also became a subject of intense discussion. The results of the draw have now been announced. BJP Mumbai president Ameet Satam stated that Mumbai would get a mayor who is a “mother or sister” capable of leading the city effectively. He also responded to criticism and confusion surrounding the reservation draw.
What Ameet Satam said
“As Mumbai develops, we take pride in the fact that a mother or sister will lead the city and ensure its security. Under the leadership of matru shakti, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will be corruption-free, pothole-free, and Mumbai will not turn into a slum. As the city develops under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis, matru shakti will work in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Satam said.
Satam further clarified that a meeting of BJP and Shiv Sena corporators would be held within the next two to three days, after which the group would be formally registered. “All details will not be disclosed immediately. Mumbai will get a mayor who can lead the city competently and wisely,” he said.
Addressing objections to the reservation, Satam said critics had not properly studied the rules or understood the process. “There are fewer than three ST corporators in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, so ST reservation cannot be implemented. Those who are criticising should first study the rules,” he said. He added that Mumbai had already gone through SC reservation in the past, and stressed that the process of the reservation lottery was clearly defined.
Satam accused opponents of deliberately creating confusion. “Spreading fake narratives and misleading people is something these critics have been doing for the past seven years,” he said.
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