Uddhav Thackeray: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) has remarked that it may support the Mayor Candidate from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This move is seen in the political circles as an attempt to deneutralize the bargaining power of Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena over the coveted position.
BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena’s Mahayuti defeated the Thackeray cousins, Uddhav and Raj, in the recently concluded Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.
Meanwhile, Eknath Shinde’s party is demanding that the Mayor position be allotted to it for the first year.
What is Uddhav Thackeray Planning?
The Uddhav Thackeray faction may consider a walkout by all its corporators during the election of the Mayor in the BMC House. This would reduce the House’s effective strength at the voting time, which would make it easier for the Bharatiya Janata Party to establish a clear majority without Eknath Shinde’s party support. This would clearly weaken the bargaining power of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in Mayor’s post negotiations.
BJP Mayor Bad for Mumbai, Says Sanjay Raut
In another development, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said the selection of a BJP Mayor would be bad for Mumbai. Raut striking a defiant tone said that UBT Camp is still very much politically relevant. He added Eknath Shinde does not even have 30 corporators and yet dreams of the Mayor position.
Interestingly, Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde is keeping his 29 corporators in a five-star hotel to derail any poaching attempts. Sanjay Raut, a close aide of Uddhav Thackeray, remarked many things are happening behind the scenes.
Raju Waghmare, a close aide of Eknath Shinde, remarked we are not afraid of arch-rival Sena (UBT) or BJP and corporators are kept in the hotel just for prevention from everyone.
The BMC elections saw the Mahayuti victory with BJP winning 89 and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena winning 29 seats.
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