BMC Elections: Eknath Shinde Tells Former Corporators to Publicize Shiv Sena’s Development Work

by Webdesk
17 Sep 2025

BMC Elections: Shinde Rallies Former Corporators as Supreme Court Fixes Final Deadline for Maharashtra Local Body Polls

With the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections drawing closer, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Tuesday urged former corporators of his party to step up outreach efforts. He asked them to present the work carried out by Shiv Sena before the people and ensure that the party’s contribution to Mumbai’s growth is visible on the ground.

The meeting, held at Nariman Point in Mumbai, was attended by several key leaders, including MLA Nilesh Rane and former MP Rahul Shewale. Shinde’s call to action came on the same day that the Supreme Court of India issued a crucial directive regarding Maharashtra’s much-delayed local body polls, fixing January 31, 2026 as the final deadline to complete elections across the state.

Shiv Sena’s Battle for Supremacy in Mumbai

The upcoming BMC elections are considered make-or-break for the Shinde-led faction. Of the 82 corporators elected under the unified Shiv Sena in 2017, more than 50 shifted allegiance to Shinde’s camp after the dramatic party split in 2022. For Shinde, securing a decisive victory in the BMC is key to asserting dominance in Mumbai — a city where the rival Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction continues to retain deep influence.

Shinde reminded his cadre that public perception will play a defining role in the contest. “People must be reminded of the Shiv Sena’s developmental record,” he stressed, signaling that grassroots-level campaigning will be central to the party’s strategy.

Supreme Court Comes Down Hard on SEC

While Shinde set the political tone, the Supreme Court’s stern remarks against the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) became the day’s other big headline. The court expressed displeasure at the poll body’s repeated delays in holding local elections, which have been pending since 2022.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi ruled that elections to all local bodies — including Zila Parishads, Panchayat Samitis, Municipal Councils, and Corporations like the BMC — must be completed before January 31, 2026. Importantly, the court clarified that no further extension will be granted under any circumstances.

The apex court further ordered that any logistical requests from the SEC must be filed by October 31, 2025, after which no new pleas would be entertained. This hard deadline effectively closes the door on prolonged excuses that have stalled elections for nearly four years.

SEC’s Delays Under Scrutiny

The SEC had previously cited several reasons for the delay — including ongoing delimitation exercises, a shortage of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), and the non-availability of school premises due to upcoming board examinations. However, the bench dismissed these arguments, stating that such justifications cannot override the democratic necessity of timely elections.

“The SEC has failed to act promptly despite this court’s earlier directions. As a one-time concession, we are allowing an extended timeline, but this will be the last,” the bench said. It also directed that pending delimitation work be wrapped up no later than October 31, 2025.

On the issue of school premises being used for exams, the court said board examinations scheduled for March 2026 cannot be used as an excuse to stall polls. Similarly, regarding the shortage of EVMs, the SEC was told to complete procurement and submit a compliance affidavit by November 30, 2025.

State Government’s Role

The bench also issued strict instructions to the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra to immediately allocate necessary staff for the conduct of elections. Within two weeks, the SEC must provide details of the manpower required. Following this, the state government is bound to provide adequate officers and supporting staff within four weeks.

The judges made it clear that the responsibility of conducting free, fair, and timely elections lies jointly with the SEC and the state administration. Any further lapses would be treated as a serious violation of constitutional duty.

A High-Stakes Political Battle

For Maharashtra’s political landscape, this development is significant. The BMC, with its massive budget and influence, has long been regarded as the crown jewel of local politics. Losing control of the civic body could severely dent the influence of any party, while victory could cement political supremacy in Mumbai.

As things stand, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena is gearing up to take on the UBT faction, with both sides aware that the outcome of the BMC elections will have ripple effects on the state’s political dynamics.

With the Supreme Court’s final deadline now in place, Maharashtra’s election machinery has no room left for delay. For Eknath Shinde and his supporters, the clock has begun ticking — and the real test of political strength will play out in Mumbai’s upcoming civic battlefield.

Image Courtesy:

02 Jan 2026

BMC Elections

BMC Elections: Eknath Shinde Tells Former Corporators to Publicize Shiv Sena’s Development Work

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