Eknath Shinde gears up to inaugurate the Guardian Minister’s office inside the BMC headquarters

by Webdesk
22 Nov 2025

Mumbai: Nearly two and a half years after BJP leader Mangal Prabhat Lodha first occupied office space inside the BMC headquarters, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is now preparing to take over the Mumbai City Guardian Minister’s office in the same building. The move comes shortly before the much-anticipated BMC elections, likely in January 2026.

Lodha served as the Guardian Minister of Mumbai City under the Shinde-led Mahayuti government from mid-2022 to October 2024. During that period, he had inaugurated and operated an office inside the BMC premises in 2023. However, after the October 2024 assembly elections, the chamber has remained locked and unused. Because the office is officially earmarked for the guardian minister, Shinde—who now holds the same portfolio in the Devendra Fadnavis-led government—has asked to be allocated the same office chamber.

According to officials, Shinde’s staff will function from the office regularly, ensuring that public grievances are heard and visitors are attended to. While this space will not be used as a workplace for Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) functionaries in the absence of the Deputy CM, elected representatives such as MLAs and MPs from the party are expected to use the office during weekdays to stay connected with citizen issues.

Civic insiders stated that Shinde is likely to inaugurate the office around December 2. Ahead of the launch, former Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale and former corporator from Wadala Amey Ghole visited the BMC headquarters on Thursday to inspect the space and review preparations.

Senior leaders from the Shiv Sena (Shinde group) said the Deputy Chief Minister has instructed the team to get the office running without delay.

A top Sena functionary revealed:

“We have surveyed the site and finalized the chamber. We will begin operations by next week. Shindeji has stressed that there is no need to wait for an official inauguration. The priority is to start addressing public grievances immediately. So our people will begin working from the office at the earliest to assist citizens.”

Meanwhile, the move has triggered strong political reactions. Congress MLA from Malad and former state minister Aslam Shaikh slammed the decision, questioning whether BMC representatives—such as a mayor or corporators—would ever be permitted a similar workspace inside the Vidhan Bhavan. He labelled the development an ‘illegal method of functioning’, arguing that it violates the norms of separation between the state government and the civic administration.

Political analysts believe the timing of the office activation is crucial. One commentator observed that with the BMC elections nearing, the Shiv Sena appears to be attempting to regain ground against the BJP. Lodha, as guardian minister, had leveraged the same office for more than two years, allowing the BJP to maintain visibility and accessibility in the civic system. In contrast, the Sena has struggled to maintain a strong presence or public connect in the BMC in recent years.

The observer further added:

“This office seems to be a strategic outreach initiative. It is largely symbolic at this point, because once the BMC election code of conduct comes into force, no significant administrative decisions can be taken from there. Still, optics matter at election time, and the Sena wants to show that it is back in the civic arena and listening to citizens.”

As the countdown to the 2026 BMC elections begins, the reopening of the guardian minister’s office inside the headquarters is expected to become a new focal point in Mumbai’s political landscape. Whether it serves as a meaningful channel for resolving public issues or merely a political display during campaign season remains to be seen — but it has already intensified the ongoing turf war between major players competing for control of India’s richest civic body.

Image Courtesy:

02 Jan 2026

BMC Elections

Eknath Shinde gears up to inaugurate the Guardian Minister’s office inside the BMC headquarters

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