Mumbai’s new mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar, a three-time Shiv Sena candidate from Santacruz, said he would do everything possible to reduce traffic congestion in Mumbai. Said Mahadeshwar to THE WEEK, “My priorities are to address all the problems faced by the citizens of Mumbai. Quality water will be provided to all. We will have exclusive hangout zones for senior citizens. All the potholes on roads will be covered. Basically, I will be at the service of the people 24/7.”
Mahadeshwar defeated the mayoral candidate of the Congress, Vithal Lokare, after he got the support of 82 corporators of the BJP. The Shiv Sena has 84 corporators in the BMC and has the support of a few independent candidates. The BJP had earlier refused to contest for the mayor’s post.
“I am grateful to everyone for having supported me for the mayor’s post. The Shiv Sena is confident that from its side there will be an effort to end the rift with the BJP. We will take along all those who have supported us.”
The BMC or the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is the richest civic body in the country. The elections to the BMC, which took place last month, had a split verdict. Of the 227 seats, the Shiv Sena emerged the single largest party with 84 seats. The BJP came second with 82 seats. The Congress won 31 seats and the Nationalist Congress Party won nine seats.
Before joining the Shiv Sena, Mahadeshwar, 56, was the principal of Raje Sambhaji Vidyalaya and Junior College in Santacruz.
Mahadeshwar is the 76th mayor of the BMC. Snehal Ambekar, of the Shiv Sena, was the previous mayor.
