In a significant political development ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, two former corporators from the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction of Shiv Sena — Ishwar Tayade and Akanksha Shetye — officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday. Along with them, over 100 party workers and office bearers also embraced the saffron party.
The induction took place in the presence of Mumbai BJP President and Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar, MLA Pravin Darekar, and Mumbai BJP Vice President Kamlakar Dalvi.
Speaking at the event, Ashish Shelar claimed that the BJP has now become the largest political party in the BMC. “In the 2017 BMC elections, we were just two seats behind the undivided Shiv Sena. With the addition of these four corporators — including two earlier entrants — the BJP has taken the lead,” Shelar said.
He described the shift as the beginning of a larger political transition: “This is just the first act. The second and third will follow soon. It’s clear that the former corporators and their supporters have rejected UBT’s leadership and are aligning with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.”
Shelar didn’t hold back in his criticism of the UBT faction, stating, “The UBT Sena is in a dangerous and deteriorating condition. Their opposition to Mumbai’s interests, Mumbaikars, Hindutva, and Hindu festivals has led to their downfall. The constant exodus of office bearers, MLAs, and MPs is a testimony to the party’s collapse.”
Referring to the BJP’s commitment to Mumbai, Shelar highlighted the government's Rs 5 lakh crore development push under Devendra Fadnavis’ leadership. “We are dedicated to serving Mumbaikars. Our fight for God, the nation, and Dharma continues with full force,” he added.
The development comes at a time when the Mahayuti alliance — comprising BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCP — has already announced a joint fight for the BMC elections. Shelar’s claim of BJP being the dominant force now raises questions about the seat-sharing formula within the alliance.
All eyes are now on Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, as political circles await their response to Shelar’s bold assertion of BJP’s primacy in Mumbai’s civic politics.
