Mumbai: Major reshuffle in BMC ward reservation lottery leaves top leaders without home turf

The BMC concluded its reservation lottery for 227 electoral wards ahead of the civic polls scheduled for early next year. File pic/Ashish Raje

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday concluded its reservation lottery for 227 electoral wards ahead of the civic polls scheduled for next year. The draw was held at Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir in Bandra West, reshuffling the city's political map and leaving several prominent leaders without their home turf.

The lottery has upended the prospects of several political heavyweights across party lines - many of whom were elected in the 2017 BMC elections and have since worked behind the scenes to retain their voter base. Among the prominent names hit by the reshuffle is Ravi Raja, former leader of opposition in the BMC and five-time corporator, who joined BJP last year. His ward has now been reserved under the OBC (women) category.

"Eight out of ten wards in the F North division (Matunga-Sion area) have been reserved for women," Raja told mid-day. "For 25 years, I have worked in the Sion-Dharavi area, which covers eight wards - seven are now reserved for women, and only one is open. I will follow the party's direction and support our candidates during the campaign."

In Bandra, three-time corporator Asif Zakaria has lost Ward 101, which has been reserved for women, while the adjoining ward has been marked for OBC (women) candidates. "I will not contest this year," Zakaria confirmed.

Other leaders who have lost their electoral strongholds include BJP's Parag Shah (the city's richest corporator in the 2017-22 term), Sandhya Doshi, former Education Committee chairperson from Shiv Sena (now with the Shinde faction), and Neil Somaiya, son of senior BJP leader Kirit Somaiya.

Dr Ashwini Joshi, additional municipal commissioner (left) and Bhushan Gagarani, municipal commissioner, at BMC's ward delimitation draw at Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir in Bandra West, on Tuesday. PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI

From the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), senior leader Sandeep Deshpande, who represented Ward 191 in 2017, has also been affected. An MNS representative told mid-day, "Ward 191 is now reserved. However, adjoining wards are open. The final call on contesting will rest with party chief Raj Thackeray. There is scope for familiar faces to contest from nearby wards."

However, several leaders have retained their wards. These include Rakhee Jadhav, former mayor Kishori Pednekar, and former mayor Milind Vaidya, who led Mumbai in 1996 and remains a key Shiv Sena (UBT) figure from the party's Dadar stronghold.

Political parties are now assessing the new ward maps and their impact on candidate selection. A senior BJP leader said, "Our ground cadre has been working with the understanding that the reservation lottery could change the equation. This doesn't affect our broader strategy."

A Congress leader added, "We are evaluating the impact of the reservations and have invited applications from popular candidates. The deadline has been extended to accommodate more names. We'll take a call once the complete picture is clear."

Political analyst Prakash Akolkar summed it up succinctly: "The lottery system boils everything down to luck for several senior leaders. Party strategies will now have to be reworked - and we'll soon see how the chips fall."

Former corporators speak

"My electoral ward has been reserved for women this year. I am certain I will contest and win the elections, as this is my home turf."
Rakhee Jadhav, NCP-SP leader

"I have retained my ward. Falling under the OBC category and holding an OBC certificate, I am eligible to contest from this ward."
Milind Vaidya, Shiv Sena (UBT), former Mayor of Mumbai

"As a senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, I have worked tirelessly in my ward for the past three years. I am very happy to get another chance to contest. I have maintained close connections with my voters and tried to solve local issues to the best of my capacity, despite not holding an elected post for the past three years. I have always been available to my people."
Kishori Pednekar, Shiv Sena (UBT), and former Mayor of Mumbai

"My ward has been reserved under the OBC (women) category this year. Interestingly, eight out of ten electoral wards in the F/North division of the Island City (Matunga-Sion area) have been reserved for women. For 25 years, I have worked extensively in the Sion-Dharavi area, which covers eight electoral wards - seven of which are now reserved for women, leaving only one open ward. I will follow my party's direction and support our candidates during the election campaign." Ravi Raja, BJP

"I will not contest this year, as my electoral Ward No. 101 has now been reserved for women. The adjoining ward has also been reserved for OBC (women). Hence, I will not be contesting this time."
Asif Zakaria, Congress

"I may have lost my candidature, but we will see."
Vishakha Raut, Shiv Sena (UBT), former Mayor of Mumbai (1997) and ex-MLA from Dadar