Mumbai’s political landscape heated up after local body elections as Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar dismissed allegations of foul play leveled by Shiv Sena (UBT). The controversy erupted over the lottery system used to select mayors in several municipal corporations, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Narwekar, speaking to reporters, emphasized the transparency of the entire process. ‘The lottery was conducted fairly, following all protocols,’ he stated firmly. He accused the opposition of crying foul only after defeat, drawing parallels to their past complaints about Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
A highlight of the elections was the selection of a woman mayor for BMC for the first time, a move Narwekar praised wholeheartedly. ‘This sends a powerful message to society, showcasing women’s leadership in urban governance,’ he noted.
The Speaker challenged Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders, particularly MP Sanjay Raut, to provide concrete evidence of any rigging. ‘Baseless accusations have become their habit. They trust neither the Election Commission nor the Supreme Court,’ Narwekar remarked, questioning their faith even in the Constitution.
In a related development, Narwekar chaired a meeting on notices issued by BMC for slum demolitions in late November 2025. Former MP Gopal Shetty and officials attended, discussing implementation strategies amid ongoing urban development debates.
As Maharashtra gears up for more civic polls, Narwekar’s rebuttal underscores the ruling alliance’s confidence, urging focus on governance over partisan blame games. The opposition’s strategy of questioning electoral integrity continues to draw sharp rebuttals from the establishment.