Bhiwandi Mayor Election: Congress Backs BJP Rebel Narayan Chaudhary for Mayor Seat

Narayan Chaudhary won the Bhiwandi Mayor seat with 48 votes, beating the BJP's candidate. This shows a big change in local politics.
By Newsroom | Politics, Maharashtra |

Political Realignment Sees BJP Rebel Take Office with Congress Support

The recent mayoral election in the Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation (BNMC) resulted in a significant political shift. Narayan Chaudhary, a rebel corporator who had previously been with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was elected Mayor. His victory was made possible by the support of the Congress party and its allies. In a parallel election, Tariq Momin of the Congress was elected Deputy Mayor. This outcome marks a departure from traditional party lines and highlights the fluidity of political allegiances in the region.

Rebel rise continues in Maharashtra as Congress-backed mayor elected in Bhiwandi - 1

Background: A Contested Civic Landscape

The election followed recent municipal polls where no single party secured a clear majority in the Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation. The results of these polls showed the following distribution of seats:

Rebel rise continues in Maharashtra as Congress-backed mayor elected in Bhiwandi - 2

  • Congress: 30 seats

  • BJP: 22 seats

  • Shiv Sena: 12 seats

  • NCP (SP): 12 seats

  • Samajwadi Party: 6 seats

  • Konark Vikas Aghadi (KVA): 4 seats

  • Bhiwandi Vikas Aghadi: 3 seats

  • Independent: 1 seat

The absence of a majority for any party made alliances crucial for securing the mayoral post. Initially, the BJP had intended for Sneha Patil to be its official mayoral candidate. However, following Chaudhary's rebellion and his alignment with the Congress-led front, the BJP replaced Patil with Suhas Nakate. This internal party dynamic played a key role in the subsequent events.

Read More: Supreme Court Stops Trump Tariffs; President Plans New 10% Tax

Rebel rise continues in Maharashtra as Congress-backed mayor elected in Bhiwandi - 3

Election Results: A Victory for the United Front

In the mayoral election, Narayan Chaudhary secured 48 votes, surpassing the BJP's official nominee, Sneha Patil, who received 16 votes, and the Konark Vikas Aghadi's candidate, Vilas Patil, who garnered 25 votes. The margin of victory for Chaudhary underscores the effectiveness of the Congress-backed coalition.

Rebel rise continues in Maharashtra as Congress-backed mayor elected in Bhiwandi - 4

For the Deputy Mayor position, Congress candidate Tariq Momin won with 43 votes. This contest also saw other candidates vying for the role, with the BJP's Sneha Mehul Patil securing 16 votes and Vilas Patil of the Konark Vikas Aghadi receiving 25 votes.

Key Developments and Political Maneuvers

The election's outcome was shaped by several significant political developments:

Read More: Shivneri Fort Crowd Causes Injuries During Shivaji Jayanti on February 19 2026

Formation of the Bhiwandi Secular Front

  • A group of nine BJP corporators, led by Narayan Chaudhary, broke away from the party to support the Congress-led alliance. This move was described as a "ghar wapsi" by some, suggesting a return of corporators who may have previously been associated with the Congress.

  • The Congress, along with the NCP (SP), formed a coalition to support Chaudhary as their mayoral candidate under the banner of the 'Bhiwandi Secular Front.'

  • Initially, the Samajwadi Party had also indicated support for a secular alliance. However, subsequent reports suggest a realignment, with the Samajwadi Party aligning with the Shiv Sena. This shift occurred after the Congress declared its intention to field the BJP rebel as its candidate, prompting questions from Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi regarding the "secular front."

Internal Dissent within Congress

  • The decision by the local Congress unit to back a former BJP corporator reportedly triggered dissent among some local Congress leaders, who opposed the alignment.

The BJP's Position

  • The BJP suffered a setback with its rebel corporator winning the mayoral post. The party's attempt to replace its initial nominee, Chaudhary, with Sneha Patil ultimately failed to secure the required support.

Expert Perspectives

The political realignments observed in Bhiwandi are not isolated incidents. Reports suggest that rebels and independent candidates are playing an increasingly pivotal role in government formation across Maharashtra. This trend is particularly notable in close electoral contests, where such individuals can influence the final balance of power between major political alliances. The ability of smaller groups or individual corporators to shift allegiances can significantly impact the outcome of elections for key civic posts.

Conclusion and Implications

The election of Narayan Chaudhary as Mayor of Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation, with the backing of the Congress, signifies a notable instance of political maneuvering. The outcome demonstrates that alliances and rebel candidacies can outweigh traditional party affiliations in local governance. This event underscores the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of politics in Maharashtra, where numbers and strategic partnerships can lead to unexpected results. The situation highlights the potential for further shifts in political power, especially in the context of upcoming civic polls where similar dynamics may come into play. The long-term implications for party discipline and coalition politics in the region remain a subject for observation.

Read More: Trump Plans New Tariffs Using Different Laws After Supreme Court Ruling

Sources Used:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is the new Mayor of Bhiwandi and how was he elected?
Narayan Chaudhary, a corporator who left the BJP, has been elected the new Mayor of Bhiwandi. He won because the Congress party and its allies supported him.
Q: What was the vote count for the Bhiwandi Mayor election?
Narayan Chaudhary received 48 votes. The BJP's candidate, Sneha Patil, got 16 votes, and Vilas Patil received 25 votes.
Q: Why did a BJP rebel get elected as Mayor with Congress support?
After the local elections, no single party had enough seats. A group of nine BJP corporators, led by Narayan Chaudhary, decided to support the Congress-led alliance, forming the 'Bhiwandi Secular Front'.
Q: Who became the Deputy Mayor of Bhiwandi?
Tariq Momin from the Congress party was elected as the Deputy Mayor of Bhiwandi. He won with 43 votes.
Q: What does this election mean for politics in Bhiwandi?
This election shows that alliances and support from rebel candidates can be more important than party loyalty in local government. It highlights how political relationships can change quickly in Maharashtra.