A controversy has erupted within the ruling Mahayuti alliance after the draft ward structure for the long-pending Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections was released.
The BJP and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction have raised objections, claiming that since the Urban Development Department is handled by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the multi-member ward structure has been designed to benefit the Shiv Sena.
While Mumbai has retained 227 wards, some minor changes have been made. Earlier, during the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, the number of wards was increased to 236, but the Mahayuti government reduced it back to 227. In contrast to other municipal corporations where multi-member wards are common, no major changes were made in Mumbai’s structure.
However, disputes have arisen in cities like Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Pune. In Navi Mumbai, the ward structure is seen as favouring Shinde’s Shiv Sena, which has upset Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, a long-time rival of Shinde. Naik has said he will meet the Chief Minister to discuss the issue.
In Pune, the Ajit Pawar faction has criticised both the BJP and the Shinde group over the ward setup. In Pimpri-Chinchwad too, a rivalry is brewing between the BJP and Ajit Pawar's faction, making the ward structure a key issue there.
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There are growing signs of tension between Shinde and Ajit Pawar, with Shinde expected to use the situation to challenge Pawar. The responsibility of resolving these internal disputes within the Mahayuti now falls on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
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