Although the BJP and Shinde faction of Shiv Sena have won the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections, new political calculations have begun over who will become the mayor of Mumbai. The draw for the reservation of mayoral posts for 29 municipal corporations in the state will be held on January 22, and the entire political circle is focused on this draw. There is particular curiosity about which category the Mumbai mayoral post will be reserved for.
Important information has emerged that this year the mayoral reservation draw will be conducted in a circular manner. If the draw is conducted according to the old circular method, it could pose a significant challenge for BJP and Shinde Sena, as political experts predict. This is because, according to the old method, there is a strong possibility that this year the Mumbai mayoral post will be reserved for the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category.
Importantly, since 2004, there has not been a single mayor from the Scheduled Tribes in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. Therefore, according to the circular rules of reservation, it is being speculated that this category might come up this year. According to the current election results, the Scheduled Tribes councilors are only with Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) group. Therefore, if such a reservation draw is conducted, it is likely to be a major setback for the grand alliance.
Against this backdrop, the statement made by Shiv Sena (UBT) party chief Uddhav Thackeray, “If it is in God's will, our mayor will be elected,” is now becoming a topic of discussion in political circles. It is being discussed that Uddhav Thackeray, who has closely observed the politics of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation for many years, made this suggestive statement deliberately because he already knew the reservation equation.
On the other hand, even if the new circular method is used instead of the old method and the category of Scheduled Tribes is included, BJP and Shinde Sena will face difficulties. It is said that their group does not have a single councilor from the Scheduled Tribes. Therefore, even without being in power, the mayoral post may go to Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), as is being speculated. The entire state is watching whether the upcoming draw on January 22 will give a new twist to Mumbai's politics.