Determined to rule out any possibility of defections after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, Shiv Sena chief and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has decided to complete all formal documentation related to the party’s newly elected corporators at the earliest.

Soon after the results were declared, the 29 corporators of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena were moved to a five-star hotel in Mumbai. The step, according to party sources, was aimed at preventing any attempts at poaching amid intense political negotiations over control of the country’s richest civic body.

Sources within the party said the leader of the Shiv Sena group in the BMC is likely to be named today. All paperwork related to the corporators will also be completed to eliminate any scope for defection.

Young faces in contention for key roles

Party insiders indicated that several young but experienced corporators are being considered for senior positions within the civic body. Names such as Yamini Jadhav, Trishna Vishwasrao and Amey Ghole are under discussion.

The BMC elections, held after a gap of several years, saw the BJP emerge as the single largest party with 89 seats, while the Shinde-led Shiv Sena secured 29. The alliance has the numbers to cross the majority mark in the 227-member House.

The Opposition alliance, comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction, together won 72 seats. The Congress secured 24 wards, AIMIM eight and the Samajwadi Party two. Even if all Opposition parties come together, their combined strength would fall short of a majority.

Mayor post emerges as key flashpoint

With numbers on their side, discussions between the BJP and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena are expected to focus on the mayor’s post. The Shiv Sena has traditionally held the mayor’s position in the BMC, and Shinde is keen on retaining it to reinforce his claim as the leader of the original party.

The BJP, meanwhile, is also expected to stake its claim, as the civic body has never had a BJP mayor despite the party’s growing strength in Mumbai.

Reacting to the developments, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray alleged that Shinde was wary of his ally. He said those who had once broken away from a party could do so again.

Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut claimed several Shinde Sena corporators were new faces and suggested they would not support a BJP mayor. He added that communication channels cannot be fully cut off, even if corporators are kept together.

Responding to the Opposition’s remarks, Shinde loyalist Raju Waghmare said the Sena (UBT) must accept the election outcome. He asserted that the corporators were kept together only to ensure that all formalities were completed smoothly without external pressure.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that a final decision on the mayor’s post would be taken after discussions among alliance partners and other stakeholders.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India’s Gen Z believes in the BJP’s development model, citing the party’s landmark victory in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, as he intensified his campaign in election-bound West Bengal.

Addressing a public meeting in Malda, the prime minister pointed to the BJP’s record performance in Mumbai’s civic polls, where the party emerged victorious in the BMC for the first time. He expressed confidence that voters in West Bengal would make a similar choice in the upcoming assembly elections, which are due in a few months.

Taking aim at the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool government, Modi said in Bengali, “Ei sarkar palano dorkaar,” asserting that the state needs a change in government. He accused the Trinamool of corruption and alleged that public funds were being looted while central assistance was being blocked from reaching people in Bengal.

The prime minister said development in the state would accelerate only after the Trinamool is voted out and the BJP comes to power. He also accused the ruling party of shielding infiltrators, warning that strong action would be taken against infiltration if the BJP forms the government in the state.

Reassuring the Matua community and other persecuted refugees from neighbouring countries, Modi said they had nothing to fear, adding that the Citizenship Amendment Act offers them protection.

Leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to visit Indore on Saturday amid mounting political and public concern over deaths linked to contaminated drinking water in the city. His visit has triggered varied responses from political leaders, reflecting the tense atmosphere surrounding the issue.

According to the proposed itinerary, Rahul Gandhi will begin his visit at Bombay Hospital, where several people affected by contaminated water are currently undergoing treatment. He is expected to meet patients and their families before proceeding to Bhagirathpura, the area identified as the epicentre of the crisis. There, he will interact with families who lost relatives after consuming contaminated water.

BJP veteran welcomes visit, stresses democratic role of opposition

Former Lok Sabha Speaker and senior BJP leader Sumitra Mahajan welcomed Rahul Gandhi’s visit, adopting a conciliatory tone and underlining the importance of opposition voices in a democracy.

“This is how democracy works,” Mahajan said, adding that the opposition has a responsibility to raise issues affecting the public. She recalled that when her party was in the opposition, it fought strongly to earn people’s trust by standing with them during difficult times.

Chief minister warns against ‘politics over tragedy’

In contrast, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav issued a sharp warning without naming Rahul Gandhi directly, cautioning against what he described as politicisation of a tragedy.

“We have faced this difficult phase with sensitivity,” the chief minister said. He added that Indore would not tolerate politics being played over deaths and stressed that protests must remain constructive, warning of serious consequences if the issue is used for political gain.

Closed-door meeting fuels political discussion

Adding to the political churn, Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari met Sumitra Mahajan at her residence in a closed-door meeting. The discussion focused on the Bhagirathpura water contamination incident and possible long-term solutions, fuelling speculation across political circles.

Speaking to the media later, Patwari said the tragedy should not be turned into a political contest. “This is not just a political issue, it is a serious public health issue,” he said, noting that several parts of Madhya Pradesh are facing problems related to contaminated drinking water.

Patwari stressed that ensuring access to clean and potable water should take precedence over political rhetoric. He said the government must focus on protecting Indore’s reputation and safeguarding the future by strengthening the city’s water supply system.

Responding to queries, Sumitra Mahajan said Patwari had been meeting her for a long time and spoke positively about his efforts. She confirmed that the discussion centred on the Bhagirathpura incident and said she offered suggestions, calling for collective efforts to resolve the crisis.