BATTLE FOR MUMBAI Shiv Sena is No.1, BJP emerges as a close contender to power DECIMATED OPPN Both the Congress and the NCP suffer crushing defeats all over state
Sena’s mayoral candidate loses to BJP; close result further queers the pitch
It was as close at it could get. Though the Shiv Sena is still Party No. 1 in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), it is just two seats ahead of challenger BJP, its former ally in the civic body. The two parties exchanged angry words during the campaigning, but, in the process, managed to consolidate the votes between themselves.
With 84 seats in the 227seat civic body and the numero uno position in the BMC, the Shiv Sena may not be able to nominate a Mayor from its party because the BJP is literally breathing down its neck — the party won as many as 82 seats. The BJP with a little help from Independents may well stake claim to that position.
So, what happens at the BMC now? There is little scope for both the BJP and the Sena to capture power without forming an alliance all over again. When asked about the possibility, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray was non-commital. “Why be in such a hurry,” he told reporters at a press conference even while asserting that the Shiv Sena was the No. 1 party in the BMC.
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The neck-to-neck results of civic polls has put the ruling Shiv Sena in a fix. Though the party was ready with their names of probable mayoral candidates by announcing it before the polls, Sena has gone on back foot as their veteran and five-term candidate Yashodhar Phanse lost to Yogiraj Dabhadkar of BJP.
The uncertainty still looms large due to a hung house, though Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has still not given up staking claim to the Mayor’s post. Taking a considered stand and in a bid to buy more time to weigh his option, Uddhav said, “What is the hurry to decide on Mayor’s post? We will take the decision on it after a while.” The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 82 and Sena bagged 84 seats.
One of the insiders from Sena said, “The party might field a loyal face for Mayoral position, which includes Vishakha Raut who is also a former mayor of Sena. Raut defeated Swapna Deshpande, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) candidate and wife of MNS group leader Sandeep Deshpande from Shivaji Park ward in Dadar. Another name for the Mayoral post is Shraddha Jadhav, former mayor of Sena.”
Meanwhile, BJP would give opportunity of Mayoral post to Prabhakar Shinde, winner from Mulund who is the most experienced corporator. Shinde, former Shiv Sainik and close confidante of Sena president, joined BJP before just before the civic poll. Another aspirant would be Anuradha Poddar who is highest qualified candidate of BJP. She won from Girgaum, the bastion of Marathi sppeaking people. This is her first term. Atul Shah, the party spokesperson, would also be the candidature for the mayoral post. He lost the 2014 assembly poll and hence his name would be considered by the party.