Considering the loss in Karnataka elections that BJP faced, and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) receiving sympathy post SC order in the Shiv Sena case, the Shinde-Fadnavis government looks hesitant to hold local elections in the state. The BMC elections were expected to take place in October this year. However, the elections are likely to be pushed to 2024 as the Shinde-Fadnavis government will wait for the sympathy to ebb.
Since March 2022, BMC is under an administrator, with municipal commissioner Iqbal Chahal becoming the city's longest-serving administrator. Along with this, polls to 23 municipal corporations and 26 zilla parishads have been delayed.
There were additional delays for the BMC because the MVA government increased the number of wards from 227 to 236 and the Shinde government reversed this. The same is now pending before the apex court after a high court order stating that the number of seats will be 227.
"The SC order has given a new push to the sympathy wave that was working in favour of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena. The government has no option but to delay civic polls. If polls are held now, they could face a setback," as told to Times Of India by political analyst Birju Mundra.
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