‘Taj Has Been Turned Into a Jail,’ Sanjay Raut Targets Eknath Shinde as Mumbai Mayor Race Heats Up

Mumbai: Political tension over the post of Mayor of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has intensified in Mumbai, as Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has made serious allegations against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Raut says that the BJP-Shinde alliance has made the Taj Lands End Hotel like a "jail" by keeping its corporators in an atmosphere of fear after the official victory. He is demanding immediate release of those leaders.

Why is the power struggle intensifying in the corporation?

In the BMC elections held in Mumbai, the alliance had won 118 seats out of a total of 227, in which BJP got 89 and the Shinde-faction Shiv Sena got 29 seats. Despite this, no consensus has been reached yet regarding the post of mayor, due to which political suspense remains. Raut claimed that Shinde-BJP corporators have been kept in the hotel so that they come under pressure and support the alliance for mayor.

Why were the leaders kept in the hotel?

According to some reports, the Shinde faction has kept the winning corporators in a luxury hotel in Bandra, where they are being given 'orientation' and 'refreshment.' This step is said to be taken to preserve the strength of the alliance and to avoid possible defection.

What is likely to happen next?

Till now the date for the election of mayor has not been decided, but the political stir is intense, and all the parties want to strengthen their candidates. Both the ruling coalition and the opposition are working on their strategy, due to which the political background of Mumbai is going deeper.

What allegations did Sanjay Raut make?

Raut told the media that the winning corporators have been kept in the hotel so that they cannot be taken anywhere or put under pressure. He said, “Eknath Shinde has made Taj Hotel like Yerwada or Arthur Road Jail.” Raut insisted that these leaders should be released immediately and that the move was a direct attack on their rights.

What are security arrangements? 

Following Raut's allegations and his announcement of visiting the Taj Hotel, Mumbai Police has increased the security of the hotel. The police administration is on alert mode and is keeping an eye on the entire incident so that no untoward incident happens.

What are the political reactions?

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has also given a statement saying that even if the Deputy CM and Chief Minister are in power, why should they be afraid of their own people? He said that in such an environment, speculations regarding the post of mayor are becoming more intense.

Chief Minister Fadnavis has hit back at the allegations and said that the mayor will be elected only under the Mahayuti alliance and no kind of 'poaching' is taking place in it. He has expressed confidence in the unity of the alliance.