Bhiwandi Mayor Narayan Chaudhary, a three-time corporator who most recently won on a BJP ticket, broke ranks with his party after it replaced him as its official mayoral candidate. He went on to secure the Bhiwandi mayor’s post with Congress support and cross-voting from within the BJP, altering the political balance in the civic body.
Chaudhary is no stranger to local politics. He began his career with the Bhiwandi Vikas Aghadi, later joined the Samajwadi Party, and eventually contested and won on a BJP ticket. In an interview with ZEESHAN SHAIKH Chaudhary speaks about his split with the BJP, his differences with alliance partner Shiv Sena, the possibility of disciplinary action, and his priorities as mayor.
Q: What is your immediate agenda as Mayor?
Ans) Bhiwandi is important to India’s economy because of its warehousing and textile industries. However, much of that activity lies outside the municipal corporation limits, while the city itself is in poor condition. Infrastructure needs urgent attention.
While improving civic infrastructure will be a major focus, my immediate priority is education. The condition of our municipal schools and the quality of education need improvement. I am drafting a plan to upgrade school facilities and raise education standards. We will soon present a detailed roadmap.
Q: You have broken away from the BJP. What prompted this decision?
Ans) The BJP had nominated me as its mayoral candidate, and I am grateful for that trust. I made every effort, along with our alliance partners, to form a coalition and secure the mayor’s post. However, I did not receive the expected support from my ally the Shiv Sena. There were several meetings, but our allies were working independently. Even within my own party, I did not receive full backing. Under those circumstances, I had to take this decision.
Q: Are you saying it was the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and not the BJP, that forced your hand?
Ans) I have nothing against the BJP. But it is true that while the Shiv Sena was our ally, certain developments weakened our position. Nine corporators who were crucial to forming a majority were no longer aligned with us as the Shiv Sena had poached them to their side and were unwilling to extend support to us. You cannot tie one of my arms and ask me to swim. These constraints made it impossible for me to take control of the corporation, which led to this move.
Q: Who from the Congress approached you for this realignment?
Ans) We have always been in discussions with different parties because our priority is the city’s development. The situation I found myself in forced us to explore other options. The discussions happened collectively, and the decision was taken keeping Bhiwandi’s interests in mind.
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Q: The BJP has indicated it may take action against you. Your expulsion could destabilise the Corporation
Ans) I have a lot of respect for the BJP and its leadership. As far as possible legal action is concerned, I do not want to comment at this stage. We will fight any battle legally if required. I believe that when you stand for what is right, no one can harm you “jyala dev tari tyala kon mari” if God protects you, no one can defeat you. Our focus remains on the development of Bhiwandi, and work on this front has already begun.
Zeeshan Shaikh is the Associate Editor who heads The Indian Express' Mumbai reporting team. He is recognized for his highly specialized Expertise in analyzing the complex dynamics of Maharashtra politics and critical minority issues, providing in-depth, nuanced, and Trustworthy reports.
Expertise
Senior Editorial Role: As an Associate Editor leading the Mumbai reporting team, Zeeshan Shaikh holds a position of significant Authority and journalistic responsibility at a leading national newspaper.
Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on two interconnected, high-impact areas:
Maharashtra Politics & Urban Power Structures: Provides deep-dive analyses into political strategies, municipal elections (e.g., BMC polls), the history of alliances (e.g., Shiv Sena's shifting partners), and the changing demographics that influence civic power in Mumbai.
Minority Issues and Socio-Political Trends: Excels in coverage of the Muslim community's representation in power, demographic shifts, socio-economic challenges, and the historical context of sensitive political and cultural issues (e.g., the 'Vande Mataram' debate's roots in the BMC).
Investigative Depth: His articles frequently delve into the historical roots and contemporary consequences of major events, ranging from the rise of extremist groups in specific villages (e.g., Borivali-Padgha) to the long-term collapse of established political parties (e.g., Congress in Mumbai).
Trustworthiness & Credibility
Data-Driven Analysis: Zeeshan's work often incorporates empirical data, such as National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics on arrests and convictions of minorities, or data on asset growth of politicians, grounding his reports in factual evidence.
Focus on Hinterland Issues: While based in Mumbai, he maintains a wide lens, covering issues affecting the state's hinterlands, including water crises, infrastructure delays, and the plight of marginalized communities (e.g., manual scavengers).
Institutional Affiliation: His senior position at The Indian Express—a publication known for its tradition of rigorous political and investigative journalism—underscores the high level of editorial vetting and Trustworthiness of his reports.
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