After uncertainty right until the last moment, the Shiv Sena managed to retain its hold over the BMC’s purse strings, through the standing committee. The Sena’s Yashodhar Phanse was once again elected chairman yesterday after the Sena-BJP joined hands to support him at the last moment. The same was followed in the Education Committee, where the Sena’s Hemangi Worlikar became the chairperson. This seems to be a curtain raiser to the 2017 BMC elections, with both the parties threatening to break the alliance and contest independently.

Yashodhar Phanse is greeted by Mayor Snehal Ambekar after he was elected chairman of the standing committee