BMC elections: ‘Global Mumbai’ beats ‘sons Of the soil’

MUMBAI : Voters in India’s financial capital appear to have responded to the appeal of a “triple engine sarkar” — with BJP in office at Centre, state and city — and its promise of delivering results without hurdles.

BJP’s Hindutva-and-Vikas plank had wider traction than Thackeray combine’s focus on Marathi identity and pride.BJP MLA and speaker Rahul Narwekar said the Mumbai mayor will be from BJP. Deputy CM Eknath Shinde said, “More than power and post of mayor, we are interested in making a difference in the lives of Mumbaikars.”Despite BJP juggernaut, Thackerays retained a creditable hold on their core Marathi vote and outperformed Shinde’s Sena, winning more than twice the number of seats.

Central Mumbai strongholds such as Dadar, Lalbaug, Parel, Sewri and Worli stayed with Thackeray cousins. In Worli, Shinde’s Samadhan Sarvankar lost to Sena UBT’s Nishikant Shinde.Congress, which did not tie up with MVA allies managed 24 seats, lower than its tally of 31 in 2017. Asaduddin Owaisi’s MIM improved its count from 2 to 8, defeating SP in wards with sizeable minority votes.BJP, despite its impressive showing, still needed its ally to cross the halfway mark of 114.

Shinde, known to drive a hard bargain, could demand key posts like chairperson of the standing committee, which takes major financial decisions for the civic body.The verdict’s impact will go beyond this election. With a national party’s writ running across all three tiers of govt, it will become harder for regional parties to stay relevant and challenge BJP’s dominance.The results could trigger political realignments: Raj and Uddhav may stay together.

Shinde has emerged as a stronger ally for BJP, raising questions about Ajit’s long-term utility. Even after joining his uncle Sharad, he lost to BJP in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.Analysts note SS-UBT held its traditional strongholds in Mumbai but lost grip in wider MMR. Many feel it could have done better had Congress joined hands. “UBT gained from MNS with consolidation of Marathi votes,” said analyst Abhay Deshpande. “But the alliance cost it Muslim and north Indian votes.” BJP appealed to a broader coalition: Gujaratis, Marwaris, north and south Indians.