After the results of assembly elections in Maharashtra, now all eyes are on BMC elections. Shiv Sena has long been in control of one of India’s richest civic bodies. However, now Shiv Sena has divided, after which a real fight will be seen somewhere between Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde. The 5 year tenure of BMC has ended in 2022 itself. But elections have not been held yet.
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The Municipal Commissioner of BMC acts as the administrator appointed by the state government. In such a situation, it is believed that as soon as the new government is formed in Maharashtra, BMC elections will be held soon after that. It is believed that it is certain that BJP will become the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. But somewhere BJP will try to strengthen Eknath Shinde led Shiv Sena in BMC elections. BJP also knows very well that if Eknath Shinde does not become the Chief Minister then the sentiments of Shiv Sena workers will be more towards him and it can also be beneficial in BMC elections.
If BJP and Eknath Shinde led Shiv Sena succeed in getting success in BMC elections, then it will be a big blow for Uddhav Thackeray and his family. This will not only weaken Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena but its future may also be eclipsed. This is the reason why now BJP is trying to take Eknath Shinde further. The BMC elections could not be held due to the Covid-19 pandemic and cases in the Supreme Court regarding OBC seats and the earlier delimitation process. BMC is divided into seven zones, each consisting of 3 to 5 wards.
Overall, Mumbai is divided into 24 administrative wards, which are further divided into 227 civil electoral wards or constituencies. BMC elections are one of the most keenly contested civic body elections in India. After the 2017 BMC elections, Shiv Sena leads with 84 seats, followed by BJP (82), Congress (31), NCP (9), MNS (7) and others (14).
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The Sena-BJP alliance has been in power continuously in Mumbai for the last 25 years. Mumbai, which consists of the two districts of Mumbai city and Mumbai suburbs, has six Lok Sabha seats and 36 assembly seats. In the assembly elections, the BJP-led Mahayuti dominated Mumbai by winning 22 out of 36 seats. For the grand alliance, BJP won 15 seats, Shiv Sena won six and NCP won one seat. As far as Maha Vikas Aghadi is concerned, Shiv Sena (UBT) won 10 seats and Congress won three seats. Samajwadi Party (SP) won one victory.
