Political developments have gained momentum in the backdrop of upcoming local self-government elections in the state, and it is almost clear that the power will come to the grand alliance. It is becoming clear that the mayor of the grand alliance will be seated in important municipal corporations in the state like Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Ulhasnagar, and Mumbai. However, there is great curiosity about who exactly will be seated as mayor and when the oath-taking ceremony will take place.
Meanwhile, an important update regarding this has come forward, and the official announcement of the mayors of the municipal corporations won by the grand alliance is likely to be made only after the coming Sunday. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is currently on a tour of Davos and is expected to return to India on January 25. After his return, a special meeting between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is expected to take place, and it is said that the final decision on the distribution of the mayoral positions will be made in this meeting.
Initially, some tension arose between the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) over the allocation of the mayoral position. Both parties claimed their strongholds. However, according to recent political equations, the strength of the Shinde faction appears to have increased. In the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, MP Shrikant Shinde has played a decisive role in forming a strong alliance of 53 Shiv Sena corporators and 5 MNS corporators, totaling 58 corporators. This equation has increased pressure on the BJP, which is demanding an equal share in power, and the Shinde faction's position has become stronger.
In Thane Municipal Corporation, out of 67 Shiv Sena corporators, as many as 66 have supported Eknath Shinde, making it almost certain that Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) will have the mayor in Thane. Additionally, in both Kalyan-Dombivli and Ulhasnagar, more than 55 corporators have joined the Shinde faction, putting the reins of local politics completely in the hands of the grand alliance.
Meanwhile, the reservation draw for the mayoral positions of 28 municipal corporations in the state, including Mumbai, will be held on January 22. This draw will clarify which category the mayoral position is open for, whether it is reserved for women, scheduled castes-tribes, or OBC. It is indicated that the names of official candidates will be announced by the grand alliance only after the reservation is declared. After the Chief Minister returns from Davos, a high-level meeting will be held in Mumbai, where not only the mayoral position but also the balance of power and seat allocation within the grand alliance will be discussed. The entire state is now focused on how a golden mean is achieved while maintaining coordination within the grand alliance.