Shiv Sena thanks BJP for backing out from Mayor race

Mumbai: After the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced that it will not serve as Opposition in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) by pulling out from the race for Mayor, the Shiv Sena thanked the saffron party for their kind act.

"The power which I call `Remote Control` is and will always be with the Shiv Sena. When good work is continuing in the state with the help of the government then I have nothing to comment on. The act which BJP has taken is the most sensible one and I thank them for it from the bottom of my heart," said Shiv Sena spokesperson Diwakar Raote told ANI.

Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that the BJP will not contest for Mayor or Deputy Mayor.

"At the end of the day Shiv Sena did win by more seats than us, so we respect the mandate of the people. We will not contest for Mayor or Deputy Mayor, nor will we play the role of Opposition in BMC. BJP will support Shiv Sena for the sake of development, and we won`t compromise on transparency," he added.

He also noted that the decision was taken by the party heads after cabinet meeting was held at Chief Minister`s residence in Mumbai.

This development which comes after the Shiv Sena announced its candidates for the post of Mayor and Deputy Mayor, is a complete u-turn by the BJP in Mumbai which had earlier accused Shiv Sena of corruption.

The election for BMC`s Mayor post will be held on March 8 and after the latest announcement by Fadnavis, it is now clear that the BJP which won 82 seats in BMC Elections will not vote in BMC.

Sena`s candidate for Mayor is Vishvanath Mahadeshwar and Hareshwar Worlikar is Deputy Mayor nominee.

The results of BMC Elections were declared on February 23, in which Shiv Sena had won 84 seats, BJP had 82 seats, Congress had won 31 seats, Samajwadi Party - 6, AIMIM - 3 seats, ABS - 1, others – 5.

BJP`s announcement comes as an olive branch to Shiv Sena, as ties between both parties were severely strained, even before the BMC polls.