Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is in Davos for the World Economic Forum (WEF). Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is gearing up for a crucial lottery to determine the reservation category for the Mayor’s post. The coming days are expected to be important, but the outcome remains far from conclusive. In the BMC election, the BJP emerged as the largest party with 89 seats in the 227-member House. While the Shiv Sena, led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde won 29 seats.
Lottery to decide reservation
According to sources, discussions on power-sharing within the BMC could continue throughout the month, as political parties await clarity on whether the Mayor’s chair will be reserved for the open category, SC/ST, OBC, or women. The lottery to decide the reservation category for the Mayor’s post in the BMC is expected to be held on January 22, according to a TOI report. Once the category is determined, a formal notification is likely to be issued either on the same day or the following day. However, the election process will take additional time, as a mandatory seven-day notice period must be observed.
“If the notification is issued on Jan 22 then the mayoral election will be held on Jan 29 or 30. If it is issued on Jan 23, elections will be held on Jan 30/31,” the report suggests.
Fadnavis on Mumbai Mayor
Fadnavis, who is currently in Davos, is expected to return on January 24 and participate in discussions regarding Mayoral post. Earlier, the Maha CM had indicated that the decision on Mayor would be taken collectively. Fadavis was responding to Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut’s remark that, “God willing,” the Mayor could be from the Sena. In reply, Fadnavis quipped that “God willing” could have different meanings.
Notably, Dy CM Shinde on Sunday met Shive Sena’s newly elected corporators at a hotel in Mumbai and asserted that the BMC mayor will be from the Mahayuti. His visit comes amid reports of hotel politics resurfacing in Mumbai, as speculation over the BMC mayoral post grows. Shiv Sena (UBT) has accused Shinde of turning the hotel into a “jail.”
