'Won’t tolerate a Khan as Mumbai mayor': BJP neta’s warning after Zohran Mamdani’s NYC win; UBT vouches for 'Marathi Hindu'

MUMBAI: Ameet Satam, newly appointed president of the Mumbai BJP, has vowed to prevent any attempt to “change the colour” of the city, as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections approach.

Satam, a three-term MLA, has previously raised concerns about communal polarisation, warning that attempts are underway to divide the city for vote-bank politics.




He referenced the recent election of Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s first South Asian and Muslim mayor as an example of “changing the colour” of a city.

In a post on 'X', Satam wrote, "Just as the color of some international cities is changing, after seeing the surnames of some mayors and witnessing the Maha Vikas Aghadi's vote jihad, it seems necessary to stay cautious in the context of Mumbai..! If someone tries to impose a 'Khan' on Mumbai, it will not be tolerated! Wake up, Mumbaikars..!"

His remarks drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey said, "Ameet Satam's mental state has deteriorated. From the day he became president, he realised he was about to be wiped out... That's why he's been making bizarre statements about the mayor of Mumbai from day one... May God give wisdom to people like Ameet Satam. I confidently say that a Marathi Hindu will become the mayor here... Under Ameet Satam's leadership, the BJP is sure to be wiped out."

Satam also criticised alleged corruption in the BMC, claiming misappropriation of Rs 3 lakh crore between 1997 and 2022, and said the BJP would ensure greater transparency and accountability in civic administration.

Can a mayor effectively reform Mumbai if the role is strengthened with real powers?

This question resurfaces periodically, and it has gained attention again following Zohran Mamdani’s historic election as mayor of New York City on Tuesday.

Mumbai, with a population exceeding 12 million—much larger than NYC—faces challenges due to a tangle of public agencies that rarely coordinate, often deflecting responsibility.

This fragmentation has caused overlapping jurisdictions, poor accountability, inefficient service delivery, wasted resources, and delayed infrastructure projects. Key agencies that sometimes work at cross purposes include the BMC, MMRDA, Mhada, SRA, MMRCL, railways, airport authority, and MbPT.

Unlike the NYC mayor, Mumbai’s mayoral role is largely ceremonial, with a term of just 2.5 years. The mayor is elected by corporators rather than directly by citizens, with the majority party’s candidate usually assuming the post.

The mayor chairs BMC general body meetings, but most executive and administrative authority lies with the municipal commissioner.