Shinde Sena Demands BMC Chief Ashwini Bhide Resign After Two Monsoon Deaths
On Thursday, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena demanded the resignation of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide following two monsoon-related deaths in Mumbai. The demand, raised by Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi, has exposed a political cold war and deep-seated faultlines within the ruling Mahayuti alliance in the civic body.
The Sena blamed Bhide for the two monsoon-related fatalities, which occurred within a 48-hour span. With the BMC facing intense public scrutiny over the back-to-back deaths, the Shinde-led faction has used the opportunity to assert its presence and voice its grievances against the municipal administration.
Political observers stated that the demand for Bhide’s resignation is a reaction to the Sena being forced to play second fiddle to the BJP within the BMC. Despite being a partner in the governing alliance, the Sena has reportedly been sidelined. While the party has been given some key posts in the BMC, it has no say in any financial decisions, policy formulations, or the transfers of municipal officials.
The tension also highlights a rift between the alliance leaders. Bhide was handpicked by BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis and was not Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s preferred choice for the commissioner post. Because the BMC technically falls under the state urban development department led by Chief Minister Shinde, political observers believe the Sena's public attack on Bhide has the Chief Minister's tacit consent.
In recent months, the Shinde-led Sena has repeatedly complained of being sidelined. The party has been kept out of key BMC events, prompting members to complain about violations of protocol and established norms. Additionally, most of the inspection visits for pre-monsoon works were carried out independently by the BJP, keeping the Sena entirely out of the loop. Observers noted that Bhide has failed to perform a political balancing act, leaving her caught in the crossfire of the alliance's internal power struggle.
