BMC mayor: Mahayuti names key party leaders as Mumbai mayor race heats up
Mumbai's BMC saw the BJP and Shinde-led Shiv Sena install new leadership, with Ganesh Khankar and Amey Ghole appointed party chiefs respectively.
Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) witnessed a decisive shift in its internal hierarchy on Monday. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Eknath Shinde–led Shiv Sena officially installed their top brass.
In a high-profile announcement at the civic headquarters, Borivali corporator Ganesh Khankar was designated as the BJP's party leader, while two-time Wadala corporator Amey Ghole was tapped to lead the Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction.
BJP & Shinde Sena set new internal hierarchy
Addressing the media alongside senior leadership, Mumbai BJP President Ameet Satam clarified the alliance's logistical strategy. He confirmed that both parties would register separately at Konkan Bhavan today, effectively extinguishing rumours of a joint filing.
Mahayuti alliance strategy takes shape
Satam further fueled curiosity regarding the city’s top post. He announced that the next Mayor of Mumbai will be chosen from the 118-strong Mahayuti contingent (comprising both BJP and Shinde Sena corporators), though he stopped short of naming a specific woman candidate for the role.
PMC political landscape: Dominance, opposition, and mayoral election preparations
While Mumbai’s leadership takes shape, the political spotlight also shines on the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), where the BJP is cementing its dominance following a landslide victory of 119 seats in the 165-member body. Ganesh Bidkar, a close confidant of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has been appointed Leader of the House.
Bidkar, who played a pivotal role in ward delimitation and ticket distribution despite a personal loss in the 2017 elections, was subsequently nominated as a corporator to lead the ruling party’s efforts.
The opposition in Pune has also mobilised their ranks ahead of the February 9 mayoral election.
Congress has entrusted Ramchandra "Chandusheth" Kadam with the leadership role. Kadam, the nephew of the late minister Patangrao Kadam, maintains a formidable support base in the Kothrud assembly area through his associations with the Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute.
Also, the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) appointed Sopan alias Kaka Chavan as their leader last Friday, with Arvind Shinde and elected members submitting the official letter to the divisional commissioner.