In a significant electoral contest for control of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged victorious, dealing a substantial blow to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena. The battle, which evolved into a prestige fight between Eknath Shinde and Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, concluded with Naik reaffirming his position as the uncontested “Hero of Navi Mumbai.”
The BJP leadership entrusted the entire election campaign to Ganesh Naik, who managed it independently for 107 out of the 111 seats. Naik successfully surpassed the majority threshold of 56 seats, securing a sixth consecutive term in power for his faction. Meanwhile, Shinde’s Shiv Sena campaigned under the banner of “New Government in Navi Mumbai,” attempting to attract the Sangh Parivar and dissatisfied BJP members.
Despite seat-sharing discussions in neighboring areas, Ganesh Naik insisted on contesting the elections autonomously, emphasizing the slogan “Old is Gold for Navi Mumbaikars.” His strategy paid off as he secured a BJP Mayor’s election, a promise he made to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and State President Ravindra Chavan. Naik’s assertive approach, including challenging Eknath Shinde directly, marked a departure from his usual demeanor.
Naik’s campaign targeted the Shinde faction on issues like water supply and land allocations, branding them as a “gang of land grabbers.” Contrary to expectations, Naik took the initiative from the outset, using strong language against Shinde and MP Naresh Mhaske to motivate his supporters. Despite internal party tensions, Naik effectively engaged with the RSS and related organizations, transforming the election into a matter of local honor and status.
