BJP’s Sujata Patil elected unopposed as Navi Mumbai mayor; Dashrath Bhagat announced as deputy mayor of NMMC

Sujata Patil was elected as the mayor of the NMMC and Dashrath Bhagat was elected deputy mayor. Pic/X

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sujata Patil was elected mayor of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) on Thursday, while Dashrath Bhagat was elected deputy mayor, reported the PTI.

Both were elected unopposed after Saroj Rohidas Patil withdrew her nomination for the mayoral post and Akash Balkrishna Madhavi pulled out of the deputy mayoral contest, a civic official said.

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Thanking the party leadership for their support, Sujata Patil said cleanliness, public health, education, environmental protection and transport planning would be her main priorities as Mayor.

Patil has earlier served as a corporator and was also Chairperson of the Women and Child Welfare Committee of the NMMC.

Former Member of Parliament Sanjeev Naik said that differences between the BJP and the Shiv Sena, which had surfaced during the election campaign, have now been resolved.

"The Mahayuti alliance will work together for the development of Navi Mumbai. Even if the Shiv Sena remains in the opposition, I am confident they will support development-related work," Naik said, according to the PTI.

BJP emerged as largest party in NMMC

In the January 15 elections to the 111-member Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, the BJP won a clear majority with 65 seats.

The Shiv Sena secured 43 seats, Shiv Sena (UBT) won two seats, while one seat went to an Independent candidate.

Navi Mumbai mayor race

For the mayor's post, Saroj Rohidas Patil from Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Sujata Suraj Patil from the BJP had filed their nominations, signalling a keen contest for the civic body's top leadership role. Both candidates' nomination papers were accepted following scrutiny.

Meanwhile, Akash Balkrishna Madhvi from Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Dashrath Sitaram Bhagat from the BJP are contesting for the deputy mayor's position, with their nominations also cleared by the municipal administration.

Political significance of mayor's role

While the mayor's role is largely ceremonial, the position holds significant political importance, including presiding over general body meetings and representing the city at official events.

The deputy mayor assists in these responsibilities and steps in when required.

Sujata Patil, after her election as the mayor, said cleanliness, public health, education and environment protection are some of her primary focus for Navi Mumbai.

(with PTI inputs)