Sena's Quota Conundrum: Mumbai, Pune Mayors to be Women in Maharashtra's Municipal Polls

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A contentious municipal draw has sparked controversy in Maharashtra, as the results reveal that Mumbai and Pune are set to have woman mayors. However, the Shiv Sena (UBT) is questioning the process, alleging that the reservation exercise was rigged to favor the ruling alliance. According to the draw, 17 municipal corporations will have mayors from the open category, with nine posts reserved for women. This includes major civic bodies such as Mumbai, Pune, and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The Sena (UBT) has objected to the draw process, claiming that the government altered the rules of reservation for the ST category at the last minute. Former mayor Kishori Pednekar of Sena (UBT) stated that Mumbai was deliberately not put in the ST category, as the party has only two councillors from that category in the city. However, Madhuri Misal, the minister of state for the Urban Development Department, dismissed the allegations, stating that the process was followed as per the rules. The law stipulates that the mayor's post must be reserved by rotation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and Women candidates. The draw process was conducted on Thursday, and a special meeting of the BMC house will be convened to notify members of the mayoral election schedule. The mayoral election is expected to take place on January 28 or 29. The controversy has raised questions about the fairness of the reservation process and the intentions behind it. As the mayoral elections approach, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold.