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After the BJP-led Mahayuti won the Maharashtra assembly elections winning 230 seats, a look at some statistics point out that the fight for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will be a huge challenge for the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena and the Maha Vikas…Read More
The Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena garnered 25.65 percent in Mumbai city, translating to 3.44 lakh votes. (PTI File)
The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti won a landslide victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections, shattering the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi’s dream to wrest power in the state. The Mahayuti coalition, comprising the Shiv Sena, BJP and Ajit Pawar-led NCP, retained power by winning 230 of the 288 assembly seats, leaving the Aghadi with just 46 seats.
The Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena won 20 seats in the state, 10 of them in Mumbai. However recent statistics suggest that the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections will present a significant challenge for the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maha Vikas Aghadi.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Asia’s wealthiest municipal body, has been dominated by the undivided Shiv Sena for the past three decades. For 25 of those years, their strong alliance with the BJP played a key role, leading to the undivided Sena’s victory in the 2017 municipal elections. The BJP followed closely, securing the second position with a narrow margin.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation comprises two administrative divisions: the city and the suburbs. Marathi-speaking residents constitute a majority of voters in Mumbai city, although their numbers have been declining in recent years. Conversely, the suburbs have witnessed a rise in the number of non-Marathi voters. Mumbai, particularly its Marathi-speaking populace, has historically shown allegiance to the Shiv Sena and the MNS. However, the recently concluded assembly elections have disrupted these established patterns.
Mumbai City Vs Mumbai Suburbs
According to a Times of India report, 13.39 lakh voters cast their votes in Mumbai city in this election. 42 percent of the votes went to the Mahayuti. Within the Mahayuti, the BJP secured 24.1 percent, totalling 3.22 lakh votes, while the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena garnered 2.39 lakh votes, representing 17.9 percent of the total votes cast.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi secured 43.8 percent of the total votes cast in the city of Mumbai. The Shiv Sena Thackeray group garnered 25.65 percent, translating to 3.44 lakh votes. In contrast, the Congress party received 2.44 lakh votes, representing 18.2 percent of the votes. The MNS secured 1.31 lakh votes, approximately 9.9 percent of the total votes cast.
On the other hand, 43.65 lakh votes were cast in Mumbai suburbs. Out of which, the BJP got 31 per cent of the votes. The Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena got 17.8 per cent of the votes, and the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party got 2.6 per cent. The Mahayuti received a total of 51.4 per cent of votes.
In the Maha Vikas Aghadi, the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena got 22.6 percent votes, Congress got 10.1 percent, and the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP got 2.2 percent votes. The MVA got a total of 34.9 percent votes. The MNS got 6.31 percent votes in the Mumbai suburbs.
The Overall Statistics In Mumbai
56.74 lakh votes were cast for 36 constituencies in Mumbai for the Legislative Assembly. Of these, the BJP secured 29.3 percent of the votes. The Shiv Sena Shinde group garnered 17.8 percent, while the NCP Ajit Pawar group received 2 percent. In total, the grand alliance secured 49.1 percent of the votes.
Meanwhile, the Mahavikas Aghadi attained 37 percent of the votes. Within this alliance, the Shiv Sena Thackeray group secured 23.3 percent, the Congress party obtained 12 percent, and the NCP Sharad Pawar group received 1.7 percent. The MNS garnered 7.2 percent of the votes.
In the assembly elections, the Shinde Sena posed a significant challenge to its rival group and the Maha Vikas Aghadi. While Marathi votes in Mumbai appeared to favour the Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena, it secured minimal support from non-Marathi voters. There are reports that non-Marathi votes might have shifted towards the BJP. If this trend persist in the Mumbai municipal elections, the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena will face a considerable challenge in retaining control of the Mumbai municipal corporation.
The BJP- Shinde Sena group will strive to wrest control of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation from the Uddhav Sena group. Both the alliances are expected to mount vigorous campaigns for the Mumbai Municipal Corporation election.
