In a noteworthy political development ahead of the municipal elections, over 2,000 IndiGo airline employees joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at its state office in Mumbai on Tuesday. The induction, led by BJP state organizer Ravindra Chavan, marks a significant shift, as many of these employees were previously aligned with the Bhartiya Kamgar Sena, a labor union connected to the Shiv Sena (UBT). Eknath Shinde has been eyeing Uddhav Thackeray faction’s trade unions ever since their high profile split in June 2022. The latter have been the real powerhouse of the party right from the 1960s when Bal Thackeray launched the Sena. The BKS, which played a major role in the growth of the Shiv Sena in its initial years in the 1960s, has always been a vital outfit of the party.
Labor unions from various sectors, including airports, MTNL, and the hotel industry, play a vital role in election campaigns at the grassroots level. Until now, most of these unions in Mumbai have been associated with Shiv Sena (UBT), but the BJP is working to bring them into its fold. The induction of IndiGo employees is a strategic move in this direction. During the event, BJP executive president Ravindra Chavan emphasized the party's unwavering commitment to the nation's interests under the "Nation First" spirit. He highlighted the ongoing efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to promote the welfare of employees across the country.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election, originally scheduled for February 2022, was delayed due to ongoing legal cases concerning reservations for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), the reorganization of wards, and the number of elected representatives for local bodies. The Supreme Court is set to hear further petitions on January 28 regarding these matters. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently hinted that local body elections could be held in April-May this year, emphasizing that the government would work to resolve the legal issues ahead of the polls. Local body elections are often seen as mini Assembly elections, offering political parties a chance to gauge their local strength. Both ruling and opposition parties have indicated a preference to contest independently, without forming alliances at the state or national level.