Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said that the mayor’s post in the Mumbai civic body will be shared between the BJP and the Shiv Sena led by him under an agreed power-sharing formula.
According to Shinde, the BJP will hold the mayor’s post for the first two-and-a-half years of the current term. The Shiv Sena (Shinde) will then get the post for one-and-a-quarter years, followed by the BJP holding it for the remaining one-and-a-quarter years.
Shinde said the arrangement was discussed and agreed upon with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He made the remarks during an informal interaction with journalists at Nandanvan on Thursday.
The BJP emerged as the single-largest party in the recent Mumbai civic elections, while the Shiv Sena (Shinde) won 29 seats. As a result, the BJP secured the mayor’s post, while the Shinde-led Sena was given the deputy mayor’s position.
BJP’s Ritu Tawde is currently serving as Mumbai mayor, while Shiv Sena (Shinde) leader Sanjay Ghadi is the deputy mayor.
Shinde said the agreement to give his party the mayor’s post for one-and-a-quarter years had been discussed in the Mahayuti coordination committee. The arrangement had remained unclear after the civic election results, but his latest statement has provided clarity on the power-sharing formula.
Shinde Sena May Gain Two More Seats
Shinde also claimed that the Shiv Sena (Shinde) could gain two additional seats in the Mumbai civic body.
He said two councillors elected from other parties were disqualified during the caste verification process. Shiv Sena (Shinde) candidates had finished second in those respective wards, and could therefore secure the seats, according to Shinde.
He said the addition of the two councillors would further strengthen his party’s position in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
Shinde also said that increasing open and accessible public spaces in Mumbai remains a government priority. He pointed to the decision to connect part of the Mahalaxmi Racecourse area with open spaces along the Coastal Road, saying work on the project had already begun.
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