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This year, the election has become more significant because of the rare alliance between Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
Raj Thackeray with Uddhav at Matoshree | Image: News18
Mumbai’s attention is firmly on the BEST Employees’ Co-operative Credit Society elections, with voting scheduled today. What might normally have been a low-profile institutional contest has taken on the shape of a political battle, widely viewed as a litmus test ahead of the crucial Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections.
This year, the election has become more significant because of the rare alliance between Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Together, they have floated the Utkarsh Panel, contesting against the Sahkar Samruddhi Panel of the ruling Mahayuti alliance. The Mahayuti front includes leaders from across the spectrum — Prasad Lad’s Shramik Utkarsh Sabha, Nitesh Rane’s Samarth BEST Workers’ Union, and Kiran Pawaskar’s Rashtriya Kamgar Sena from the Shinde Sena camp. Alongside, Shashank Rao’s independent panel and the BEST Parivartan Panel of the Mumbai Electric Workers’ Union have also entered the fray, adding further intrigue.
The election has already seen drama before polling day. On Sunday, barely 24 hours before voting, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) issued notices to 21 sitting directors of the society. The move followed allegations made by BJP MLA Prasad Lad, who claimed corruption to the tune of ₹24 crore had taken place within the society. Lad specifically demanded inquiries against society president Umesh Sarang (Shiv Sena UBT) and BEST Workers’ Union president Suhas Samant. The timing of the notices has raised eyebrows and sparked political debate, with opposition voices questioning whether the intervention might influence voter sentiment.
The Utkarsh Panel led by the Thackeray brothers has fielded candidates across 21 seats—19 from the UBT Sena and 2 from the MNS. The alliance is being closely watched, as it marks the first real test of a working partnership between the two cousins, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray. The contest gained further momentum when Babita Pawar, a former Shinde Sena employee from Mazgaon depot, switched sides to join the Thackeray camp, signalling cracks in the ruling alliance’s support base.
The BEST Credit Society elections had been pending for the last four years, but this round is loaded with political undertones. Observers believe that if the Thackeray-MNS alliance secures a win here, it could boost worker morale and send a strong message of unity ahead of the larger battle for the Mumbai civic body. Conversely, a Mahayuti victory would help reinforce the ruling alliance’s dominance in Mumbai’s labour and cooperative sectors.
With voting underway today and counting scheduled for Tuesday, August 19, all eyes are now on the outcome. The results will not only decide who controls the powerful BEST credit cooperative but also serve as an early indicator of Mumbai’s shifting political currents.
Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa…Read More
Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa… Read More
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