Who Will Become Mayor of Vasai-Virar? BJP Enters the Fray, Increasing Challenges for Hitendra Thakur

Mumbai: In a surprising twist in the Vasai-Virar mayoral race, the BJP has made the contest more interesting ahead of the election. Despite a sweeping victory in the Maharashtra municipal elections overall, the BJP had fallen short in Vasai-Virar, where the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) led by Hitendra Thakur had performed strongly.

Now, BJP legislator Rajan Naik has officially thrown his hat in the ring, challenging Thakur in the mayoral election. With the vote scheduled for February 3, all eyes are on Vasai-Virar, as the contest promises a tight and dramatic showdown.

Understanding the Numbers
The Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation has 29 wards, with a total of 115 seats contested by 547 candidates. The BVA secured a commanding 70 seats, while the BJP managed only 43. Congress and Shiv Sena were limited to a single seat each. Initially, it was assumed that the mayoral election would be uncontested, but the BJP’s entry has made the battle competitive.

For the mayoral position, BVA candidates Ajiv Patil, Praful Sane, and Nishad Chorghe have filed nominations. BJP has nominated advocate Darshana Tripathi. Meanwhile, for the deputy mayor post, BVA candidates Kanhaiya Bhoir and Marshal Lopes are in the fray, with BJP nominating Narayan Manjrekar. With the majority mark set at 58 seats, speculation about “Operation Lotus” has resurfaced in political circles.

BVA’s Strong Comeback
The BVA’s strong performance marks a significant comeback in the municipal elections, even as the BJP has historically done well in both parliamentary and assembly elections in the region. Hitendra Thakur’s influence appears to remain intact, despite expectations that his hold over the area might weaken. BJP leaders claim to have 44 corporators and need support from just 14 more to secure victory, adding further intrigue to the upcoming vote.