BMC Election: India’s Richest Civic Body Awaits Polls After 3-Year Hiatus; Who Will Lead Mumbai Next?

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), India's wealthiest civic body with a budget of over Rs 52,000 crore for the financial year 2023-24, has been functioning without elected corporators for nearly three years, according to the Mid-Day report. Elections for the BMC's 227 seats were due in early 2022 but remain pending. During this period, the city's administration has been managed by commissioners-first Iqbal Singh Chahal and now Bhushan Gagrani-alongside their team of bureaucrats.

With the BJP achieving a landslide victory in the recent state elections, the party is setting its sights on reshaping the political landscape of the BMC. The BJP has revived its "Mission 150" campaign, initially launched in February 2023, to secure a commanding majority in the civic body. Speaking with Sunday Mid-Day, Mumbai BJP Vice President Ravi Raja expressed confidence, saying, "Based on the state election results, our target has increased to 175-180 seats, not just 150." Raja, a former Congress leader who recently joined the BJP, also called for the elections to be conducted promptly, suggesting they could take place in early 2025.

Photo Credit: PTI

The BJP's growing influence poses a significant challenge to Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray). The undivided Shiv Sena has long dominated Mumbai's politics, with roots dating back to the 1970s under its founder Bal Thackeray. However, its hold has weakened in recent years, especially after splitting into UBT and Eknath Shinde factions in 2022. In the 2017 BMC elections, the Shiv Sena won 84 seats and retained control with the support of independents, while the BJP secured 82 seats, a marked rise from 51 in 2012.

Recent state assembly results highlight the UBT faction's struggle. It won only 10 of the 21 Mumbai seats it contested, down from 14 in 2019, while the BJP captured 15 of 18 seats. The BJP has also touted its superior strike rate-83.33 per cent compared to the UBT faction's 47.62 per cent.

BJP leaders credit their success to their focus on infrastructure development, particularly Mumbai's Metro network. Maharashtra BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye said in Mid-Day, "The BJP is committed to expanding the Metro and delivering better infrastructure to Mumbaikars."

On the other hand, the Shiv Sena (UBT) remains defiant. MP and party spokesperson Sanjay Raut said the party is undeterred by setbacks and will fight to retain the BMC. "The Shiv Sena has faced defeats before but always made comebacks. Our base will recover, and we will continue resisting BJP's dictatorship," Raut asserted in Mid-day.

As the battle for the BMC intensifies, the upcoming elections are set to redefine Mumbai's political and administrative future.