BMC Election Results: Eknath Shinde Shifts Mumbai Corporators To Hotel As Uddhav Thackeray Gives Special Message

Mumbai: Political circles in Mumbai have been abuzz with intense speculation as soon as the BMC election results were announced. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde immediately shifted Shiv Sena corporators to a hotel after the results came in to prevent them from defecting even as Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray issued a special message for the workers of his party.

What message did Uddhav Thackeray give out?

Addressing Shiv Sena (UBT) workers in Mumbai, Uddhav Thackeray said that the defeat in the BMC elections is not a loss. He tried to present it as a morale-boosting success achieved under difficult circumstances. He repeatedly praised the party cadres for standing by the organization despite limited resources.

“You all are the true architects of this success; we are merely a medium. The result that has come in such circumstances is truly a matter of pride,” he said.

“They believe they have finished Shiv Sena on paper, but they can never destroy the Shiv Sena that exists on the ground. They can never remain connected to the ground. The traitors left, but they could not buy loyalty,” he added.

Reiterating that the Sena (UBT) remained the true representative of the ‘Marathi manoos’, the former Maharashtra chief minister also claimed that the BJP had “mortgaged Mumbai” to secure victory in the BMC elections.

“Those who have won through betrayal have done so by mortgaging Mumbai. The Marathi people will never forgive this sin,” he said.

What is Eknath Shinde up to?

In the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections, 29 candidates from the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena have won. The Mahayuti alliance has crossed the majority mark. However, the BJP cannot come to power in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation without the support of the Shinde faction. 

In this situation, the Shinde faction's role will be crucial. The key to power rests solely with them. Without the support of the Shinde faction, the BJP cannot reach the corridors of power in Mumbai. Even a slight misstep could prevent the BJP from having its own mayor. That is why the Shinde faction does not want to take any risks.

Where are newly-elected corporators?

According to reports, Eknath Shinde is keeping a close watch on the entire situation. The Shinde faction believes that it is essential to keep the corporators united until they secure power in the municipal corporation. Therefore, it has been decided to house all the newly elected corporators in a five-star hotel. The Shinde faction fears that the opposition or other parties might try to poach the corporators. If this happens, the power equation could be disrupted.