Major Political Shake-Up in Mumbai Civic Body as NCP (Sharad Pawar Faction) Corporator Backs Mahayuti Alliance

A major and unexpected political development has unfolded in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), India’s richest civic body. Ajit Rawarane, the lone Municipal Corporator from the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), which is a constituent of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), has announced his support for the ruling Mahayuti alliance. This move has come as a significant setback for the Thackeray brothers and has altered the political equations within the civic body.

With this decision, both factions of the NCP in the BMC are now seen standing firmly behind Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The shift is being viewed as a strategic gain for the ruling alliance and a serious blow to the opposition’s unity in Mumbai.

According to reports, Ajit Rawarane, who was elected from Ward No. 43 in Malad, recently met Eknath Shinde. The meeting reportedly involved detailed discussions on several key issues concerning local governance and development. Following these talks, Rawarane decided to align himself with the Mahayuti camp. His support has further strengthened the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde within the municipal corporation, while the Sharad Pawar faction’s lone voice in the BMC is now set to echo the stance of the ruling side.

Explaining the reasons behind his decision, Rawarane said that, for quite some time, he had been facing difficulties in securing funds necessary for development work in his ward. According to him, meaningful development was not possible without cooperation from the ruling dispensation. He also mentioned that the Mahayuti government had assured him of support in expediting long-pending projects. It was in light of these assurances, Rawarane said, that he chose to extend his support to the ruling alliance.

Until now, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena had solid backing from the Sharad Pawar faction within the BMC. However, Rawarane’s move has weakened the opposition's collective strength in Mumbai. While Corporator from the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction were already aligned with the Mahayuti, the inclusion of the Sharad Pawar faction’s sole councillor has effectively placed the entire NCP presence in the civic body on Eknath Shinde’s side.

Political circles are also abuzz with discussions that the Shinde camp is successfully drawing independent and smaller group councillors into its fold, especially with an eye on the upcoming mayoral election.

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