Shiv Sena, BJP seem set to clash in 2017 BMC polls

A grand show by the BJP in the Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC) polls is likely to have a far-reaching impact on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), where the party is sharing power with the Shiv Sena since last 20 years. The success will further embolden the BJP, which has already strained its relations with Sena over various issues, and go for the kill in the BMC polls, which will be held in early 2017.

The BJP, which had secured a mere nine seats in the last KDMC polls, has made a huge surge this time by winning whopping 43 seats (total 49 with alliance partners) in the 122-member house. Though the Sena has emerged on top with 51 seats, it was the BJP, which stole the show as there has been an almost five-time increase in the number of their corporators.

After securing the largest number of seats (15) and pipping the Sena (14) to the second spot in Mumbai in the state assembly polls last year, the BJP has made no bones about their intentions to rule the richest corporation in the country. The civic party leaders have openly vowed that the next mayor of Mumbai will be from the BJP. Buoyed by the success in KDMC polls, chances are that the BJP will further try to take on an embattled Sena in the BMC. Raising questions over the desilting, road works etc, the city BJP leaders have already embarrassed the Sena to a great extent. The discontent will reach its crescendo in the next BMC polls.

BJP group leader Manoj Kotak, who had said that the next Mumbai mayor would be from his party, refused to comment on the fate of the alliance. He said, “The success in KDMC polls has shown that the state government is working in the right direction. But it will be the CM Devendraji, who will take a final call on the alliance.”