Shinde's another move to weaken Uddhav in BMC, reverses delimitation decision in big blow to ruling Sena

The Congress despite being part of the then MVA government had also objected to the decision. The BMC, which will go to the polls later this year, is currently being ruled by the Uddhav Thackeray faction. It was feared that the move to increase the wards would help Sena, which is already in a strong position in the municipal corporation.

TN National Desk

Updated Aug 4, 2022, 11:55 IST

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde (PTI)

Mumbai: Eknath Shinde-led Cabinet on Wednesday reversed the decision of delimitation of wards in Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The Uddhav Thackeray government had in November last year increased the number of wards from 227 to 236. The BJP, then in the opposition, had opposed the move.

However, as Shinde has been poaching many leaders from the Uddhav faction and voters are divided, it would be very difficult for the former chief minister to return to power in BMC. In 2017, Sena and BJP had contested the BMC polls together and won 166 of 227 seats. The BJP had won 82 while Sena had bagged 84.

The Sena had got the mayor post. However, after the split, the BJP is eying the top post in the richest municipal body in the country.

The Congress has welcomed the decision by the Shinde Cabinet. Former Union Minister Milind Deora called it a big victory for the Mumbai Congress and the people of the city. "Maharashtra Government has nullified the brazenly undemocratic ward-wise delimitation orchestrated by @ShivSena. It was an insult to MVA’s coalition dharma as well as to ordinary Mumbaikars," he said.

Deora had also led a delegation to meet Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and requested him to nullify the delimitations of BMC wards in Mumbai for fair elections.

Latest News