Navi Mumbai, Jan 16 (NationPress) In a crucial contest for authority over the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has claimed a significant victory, delivering a substantial setback to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena.

This election evolved into a contest of prestige between two political titans -- Eknath Shinde and Forest Minister Ganesh Naik -- with Naik reaffirming his status as the indisputable “Hero of Navi Mumbai”.

The BJP leadership placed full trust in Ganesh Naik for the election campaign, where he single-handedly managed efforts for 107 out of 111 seats, surpassing the majority threshold of 56 seats and securing a sixth consecutive term for his faction.

While Shinde’s Shiv Sena campaigned under the banner “New Government in Navi Mumbai” and sought the support of the Sangh Parivar and disgruntled BJP members, Naik countered with the catchy phrase “Old is Gold for Navi Mumbaikars”.

From the outset, Naik insisted on contesting the elections independently from the alliance (Mahayuti), despite negotiations for seat-sharing in nearby Mumbai, Thane, and Kalyan-Dombivli. “Grant me full autonomy in this election, and I will ensure a BJP Mayor is elected,” Naik reportedly told Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and State President Ravindra Chavan. This tactic proved effective.

Even when facing internal pressure from party MLA Manda Mhatre regarding candidate selection in the Belapur constituency, Naik secured nominations for his supporters and even facilitated the return of his son, Sandeep Naik, to the party just before the announcement. The campaign showcased a more assertive Ganesh Naik, who directly confronted Eknath Shinde.

Naik criticized the Shinde faction over matters like water supply and land allocations, branding them a “gang of land grabbers”.

While many anticipated Shinde to take the initiative, Naik emerged as the frontrunner from day one, employing sharp language against Shinde and MP Naresh Mhaske to energize his supporters.

Despite speculation of discontent within a segment of the BJP, Naik effectively connected with the RSS and other affiliated groups, transforming the election into a matter of local pride and honor.

Ganesh Naik has held influence over the NMMC for 25 years since its establishment.

This was the first time his supporters, who joined the BJP in 2019, contested a municipal election under the ‘Lotus’ symbol, following delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. By achieving a majority, Naik has solidified his legacy and shown that his local authority remains intact.