The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expelled 58 functionaries from Mumbai and Nagpur for a term of six years due to violations of party discipline ahead of the January 15 elections for 29 municipal corporations. This disciplinary action targets former mayors, councilors, and prominent party members and comes amid significant internal unrest that is impacting nearly all major political organizations and coalitions within the state.
According to sources cited by the news agency PTI, the expulsions were prompted by actions such as defying official party nominees, harming the party’s reputation, and not supporting Mahayuti candidates. In Mumbai, 26 of those disciplined include notable figures such as Divya Dhole (Ward 60), Nehal Amar Shah (Ward 177), Janhavi Rane (Ward 205), and Asawari Patil (Ward 2), the latter of whom is now affiliated with the Shiv Sena UBT. The remaining 32 expelled individuals from Nagpur include Vinayak Dehankar, the spouse of former mayor Archana Dehankar, along with former representatives Sunil Agrawal and Dheeraj Chavan.
The formal expulsion orders were issued by Nagpur BJP chief Dayashankar Tiwari. The political climate is intensifying as various parties gear up for elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other local bodies. The current electoral cycle has been characterized by fierce competition, particularly as partners within the Mahayuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi alliances either compete independently or form unusual local alliances.
In a related initiative, the BJP has outlined ambitious plans for Mira Bhayandar ahead of municipal elections. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with state BJP President Ravindra Chavan and local MLA Narendra Mehta, presented the party’s manifesto, which emphasizes the construction of over 100 new concrete roads, the establishment of a 300-bed civil hospital, and measures to mitigate air and noise pollution. Titled “Resolve for the Development of Mira-Bhayandar,” the manifesto aims to transform the area into a modern, secure, and environmentally sustainable smart city.
The electoral competition features both the BJP and the Shiv Sena as they vie for control over civic administration. The manifesto promotes a ‘triple engine’ governance model that leverages the BJP’s influence at both the federal and state levels to expedite local infrastructure projects. Key commitments include ensuring a pothole-free environment with over 100 new concrete roads, expanding bus fleets, and establishing a regulated shared rickshaw network.
Additionally, the party has pledged to complete the Metro rail expansion, the Dahisar-Bhayander Link Road, and the Jesal Park-Ghodbunder Coastal Road to significantly reduce commute times to Mumbai. In terms of healthcare, the BJP promises to deliver 24-hour water access through the Surya Project and a new 75 MLD water supply initiative, along with plans for a new civil hospital and the modernization of the existing Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Hospital, as well as the establishment of more Ayushman Bharat centers.
