MVA dream fizzles out as BJP retains MBMC mayor’s post with ease

Jyotsna Hasnale is new mayor, Hasmukh Gehlot her deputy

Resort drama, poaching game, missing corporators, resignations and a dirty video war—much was promised for the mayoral election amid the ongoing political thriller and suspense which surrounded the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) on Wednesday. However, very little materialised as the BJP retained the mayoral chairs with ease.

It turned out to be a cakewalk for senior corporator Jyotsna Hasnale (BJP), who was elected the 8th mayor of the civic body in a straight contest with her Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) rival Anant Shirke (Shiv Sena).

Hasnale, received 55 votes to defeat Shirke who bagged 36 votes. While five BJP corporators including Geeta Jain (who is also an independent legislator) cross voted in favour of the Sena candidate, Vijay Rai, mysteriously remained absent for the mayoral polls.

BJP’s Hasmukh Gehlot-a staunch loyalist of former legislator Narendra Mehta, defeated Merlin D’sa (Congress) to get elected as deputy mayor.

Three MVA corporators — Anita Patil, Dipti Bhatt (both Sena) and Sarah Akram (Congress) — skipped the election. Sena leaders alleged their members were kidnapped by the BJP. Despite having a comfortable majority of 61 in the 95-member house, the BJP was opposed by its estranged ally which teamed up with the Congress, setting in motion to dethrone Mehta, coupled by a threat of split over brewing dissent within BJP, adding an element of unpredictability to the contest. However, with BJP managing to hold on to its expected numbers, the operation appears to have flopped, at least for now. The election was held under the aegis of Mumbai suburb collector Milind Borikar.