Sanjay Raut on Mumbai BMC Election Results: “Only 4-Member Majority for BJP, Will Not Let Mumbai Fall into Adani’s Pocket”

Mumbai: Following the results of the Mumbai BMC elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut reacted to the defeat of the Shivshakti alliance of Shiv Sena UBT and MNS. Speaking on Saturday, Raut said that several seats were lost by very narrow margins. “If 12-13 of these close contests had gone in our favor, the picture you see in Mumbai today would have been entirely different,” he remarked.

Raut highlighted that even after the results, the BJP-Shinde faction holds only a four-member majority in the BMC. He emphasized that the opposition remains a significant force in the municipal body. “We will not allow Mumbai to fall into Adani’s pocket or let contractors take over. Over 100 of our corporators will block any such moves at every step,” he added.

Comments on Internal Betrayal
Raut also criticized certain party members, referring to them as “Jaichands,” implying acts of internal betrayal. He said, “If these ‘Jaichands’ had not emerged, even 100 generations of BJP could not have made a mayor.”

Caution on Political Maneuvers
On the possibility of a political upheaval, Raut issued a warning: “The opposition has the numbers to stage a takeover, but we respect democracy.”

For context, in the 2017 BMC elections, the BJP had won 82 seats, and this time it secured 89 seats. The Shinde-led Shiv Sena won 29 seats, while Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Uddhav Thackeray, contested the BMC elections for the first time. The opposition now holds over 109 corporators, while the ruling side has a total of 118.