With Devendra Fadnavis in Davos, BMC power-sharing talks likely to drag through January

Chief Minister Fadnavis left for Davos on Sunday and is expected to return on January 24.

• BMC mayoral decision delayed due to procedural rules and Fadnavis's Davos trip
• Lottery for mayor's reservation category likely on January 22
• Fadnavis pitches Maharashtra as $1 trillion economy at WEF in Davos

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Power-sharing talks in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) are reportedly set to drag on through the month, with key decisions on the mayor’s post unlikely before the end of January amid procedural requirements and the absence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is currently attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

While the much-awaited BMC elections are over, Mumbai will not get a mayor immediately.

Apart from negotiations between the ruling Mahayuti partners, the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the delay is also due to the statutory process governing the mayoral election, which can begin only after the new House is formally constituted.

According to sources cited in a Times of India report, a lottery to decide the reservation category of the mayor’s post, open, SC/ST, OBC or women, is likely to be held on January 22. Once the category is determined, an official notification will be issued the same day or the following day. However, election rules mandate a minimum seven-day notice period after the notification.

Chief Minister Fadnavis left for Davos on Sunday and is expected to return on January 24. Earlier, he said the decision on the mayor would be taken collectively by him, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and other senior leaders.

Fadnavis' remarks came after Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut remarked that “God willing” Mumbai could get a Sena mayor. Fadnavis, in a sarcastic aside, said he was unsure whether Raut meant God above or him, noting he is also called “Devabhau”.

The WEF’s 56th annual meeting is being held from January 19 to 23, bringing together nearly 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries.

In Davos, Fadnavis is also accompanied by Industries Minister Uday Samant and senior officials, with the state pitching for foreign direct investment, job-generating industrial projects and long-term growth partnerships.

Addressing the Indian diaspora in Switzerland on Sunday, Fadnavis said Maharashtra aims to move towards a $1 trillion economy, noting that investment agreements worth Rs 16 lakh crore were signed last year and the government is targeting more this year.