Amit Thackeray Slams ‘Hotel Politics’ Amid Mumbai Mayor Race

A fierce race is underway for the post of Mayor in Mumbai, with intense competition and fears of corporator poaching. As a result, “hotel politics” has once again surfaced in the state. The Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) has housed its elected corporators at the Taj Lands End hotel, where they have been staying since January 17. Due to heightened security arrangements, other tourists at the hotel are reportedly facing inconvenience.

Against this backdrop, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) youth leader Amit Thackeray has raised strong objections through a social media post.

Questioning whether municipal representatives have “gone missing,” Thackeray said that after the election results were declared, elected representatives should have returned to their wards to thank voters and begin addressing public issues. “Instead, those elected by the people are today ‘happily’ confined behind the closed doors of a five-star hotel,” he remarked.

Amit Thackeray further questioned the situation, asking, “What is the real reason behind this? Is it a lack of trust among their own allies? Selfish politics? Isn’t this political maneuvering an insult to the citizens who exercised their right to vote? How much lower will Maharashtra’s politics fall? In this entire drama, even tourists who have spent their hard-earned money on hotel bookings are being harassed in the name of security.”

He added that this spectacle—driven by the desire to protect personal positions rather than serve public interest—and the waste of public money must stop. “If possible, do something for the people who have placed their trust in you,” he said.

In Mumbai, the BJP has secured 89 seats and the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) has won 29 seats, giving the Mahayuti alliance a total of 118 seats. With these numbers, there should be no difficulty in electing a mayor. However, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, whose party secured fewer seats than expected in the municipal elections, has focused on strengthening his party’s numbers.

Leaders from the Shinde faction claim they have contacted corporators from the Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) and the MNS, with some reportedly showing willingness to support them. Meanwhile, although corporators have been accommodated at the Taj Lands End hotel, Eknath Shinde stated that a formal camp for corporators is currently underway there.

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