Now that the reservation lottery for mayoral posts has revealed that the top post in Thane Municipal Corporation will be held by the Scheduled Castes for the next two-and-a-half years, all eyes are now on who will hold the top post in Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s home ground.
The reservation has altered the power dynamics in Thane, and discussions have started about who will take the place.
In the recent municipal elections, Shiv Sena’s Shinde faction had single-handedly dominated Thane by winning 75 seats. Hence, there is not much contention for the post of Mayor from any other parties.
According to local media, as soon as the reservation lottery was announced, activities have intensified in the Shiv Sena camp, and aspirants have started vocalising their demand. Two major names doing the rounds are Padma Bhagat and Dr Darshana Jankar. Word is that Jankar might get a chance, as she comes from a family with a political background.
Meanwhile, there are disagreements between the BJP and Shiv Sena on the formation of the council, with the BJP seeking a substantial share in power highlighting the party's 100 per cent strike rate in the civic polls.
The Shiv Sena, led by Shinde, won 75 wards in the Thane Municipal Corporation. Alliance partner the Bharatiya Janata Party secured 28 seats, comfortably surpassing the majority mark of 66 required to control the 131-member civic body. The BJP has vocalised their claim by putting up posters hailing the party's performance.
Speculations are that the allies might arrive at a compromise, considering that the Shinde faction is also eyeing the BMC Mayor post.
Amid speculation that Shiv Sena is eyeing the Mumbai mayor's post despite finishing distant second behind its ally, the BJP has put up posters in Thane hailing the party's performance in the local civic body elections.
BJP's Thane in-charge and MLC Niranjan Davkhare said, excluding one seat lost due to a technicality, the BJP maintained a 100 per cent strike rate in the 28 seats it contested in Thane. He also reaffirmed the party’s demand for key posts. “If we are to fulfil the promises made in our manifesto, it is essential to hold key positions in the municipal corporation. Whether it is the Mayor's post, the Leader of the House, the Standing Committee, or other important committees, without a meaningful role in these positions, the development roadmap we have planned for Thane may face obstacles," Davkhare told reporters on Tuesday.