With hours left for the elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Mahayuti is leaving no stone unturned to wrest India’s largest civic body. Despite the Thackeray brothers - Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray - joining hands, the ruling coalition is confident of a clean sweep, and opinion polls too favour them.
But, on the eve of the election, questions are raised on who will become the Mayor of the BMC if Mahayuti comes to power. When posed the question, Maharashtra deputy chief minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde gave a careful and tactical reply. “Our first goal is to win the elections. The decision on the mayor's post will be taken after the results,” Shinde told The Indian Express in an exclusive interview, adding that “a Marathi mayor of the grand alliance will be installed in Mumbai.”
The BMC has been under the control of the united Shiv Sena for the last 25 years. This year, the BJP hopes to ensure its flag flutters above the building.
State Minister and BJP leader Ashish Shelar too gave a similar reply to the question. “We will definitely get a Mahayuti. It will be a Mahayuti, both the leaders will sit and take a decision," Shelar told NDTV, but refused to comment on the statement that the Shinde faction leader could take the top post if Mahayuti comes to power.
On whether there was a deal with the Shiv Sena on splitting municipal corporations, Shelar said the parties decided to fight together and support each other. “Devendraji (Fadnavis) was clear that Eknath Shinde has leadership in Thane and wants us to support him. He is in a prominent role and should remain so. We have explained this to our workers there," Shelar added.