BJP emerges as single largest winner; bags 90 of 118 seats won by Mahayuti; calling the moment a tribute to the city’s soul, BJP spokesperson Niranjan Shetty said the celebration reflected Mumbai’s identity
Shripad Gangadhar Musale frying batata vada in the kitchen of the BJP party head office. Pic/By Special Arrangement
In a break from conventional victory celebrations marked by boxes of sweets, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis chose a distinctly Mumbai-style gesture to mark the party’s triumph on Friday.
Celebrating the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) victory, Fadnavis fed ‘Mumbaicha Vada’ — the humble yet iconic batata vada — to party state president Ravindra Chavan at the BJP’s head office at Nariman Point, drawing cheers from party workers and supporters.
Calling the moment a tribute to the city’s soul, BJP spokesperson Niranjan Shetty said the celebration reflected Mumbai’s identity. “Mumbai’s identity — batata vada — freshly fried at our party head office by our beloved Musale-kaka, who has been with us at our party head office kitchen for 40 years, made its way to our celebration. Everyone celebrates by feeding sweets, but this is our love for Mumbai city,” Shetty remarked, as the crowd applauded the unconventional yet heartfelt gesture.
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The preparations had begun much before the results were officially announced. Knowing that batata vada is among the chief minister’s favourite snacks, the party’s head office canteen went into action early.
“We were sure that our party would win. This is our way of supporting the party. After all, a satisfied stomach leads to happy and productive minds,” said Shripad Gangadhar Musale, the man behind the feast.
Giving the count, Musale said he fried 980 batata vadas, along with around 7.5 kg of pineapple sheera to serve the celebratory crowd.
The celebratory mood followed the Mahayuti alliance’s decisive performance in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.
Surpassing the mandatory majority mark of 114 seats, the Mahayuti sealed its achievement in BMC polls held on Thursday. The BJP emerged as the single largest party, bagging 90 of the 118 seats won by the alliance — BJP, Shiv Sena, and Nationalist Congress Party.
As news of the victory spread, hundreds of BJP supporters and office bearers gathered at the party headquarters at Nariman Point to congratulate Fadnavis and other senior leaders. Amid slogans, smiles and the aroma of freshly fried vadas, the celebration stood out — not for extravaganza, but for its unmistakably Mumbai flavour.
980
No. of batata vadas fried
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