Shiv Sena leader Kishori Pednekar, 56, has formally been elected as Mumbai’s 77th Mayor on Friday morning.
Pednekar is a three-time corporator from Lower Parel in South Mumbai. Suhas Wadkar, also from the Sena, was elected deputy mayor of Mumbai.
The newly elected mayor, has appealed to the people of Mumbai to save water and to municipal officials to focus on pothole-free roads. She also urged Mumbai’ites to increase the use of BEST buses to reduce congestion on roads and reduce pollution.
“I understand that my top priorities as the Mayor of Mumbai are improving civic amenities for the city, and keeping the city safe and secure,” Kishori Pednekar said.
Also Read: Shiv Sena’s chief minister will rule for 5 years: Sanjay Raut
Both Pednekar and her new deputy Suhas Wadkar, were elected unopposed since no other political parties had staked claim to the post. Mumbai’s former mayor Shiv Sena’s Vishwanath Mahadeshwar was elected after the 2017 civic polls, with BJP giving Sena outside support for the post.
However, this time BJP decided not to contest the elections. Previous mayor Mahadeshwar’s term ended in September this year.
Shiv Sena is the largest party in the 227-member strong civic body, with 91 corporators. The BJP has 81 members followed by Congress who has 29.
Born to a mill worker, Pednekar started her career as a nurse before joining Shiv Sena’s women wing in 1992. Initially, she was sent to work in Raigad and Sindhudurg districts in Western Maharashtra.
Pednekar became a corporator in Mumbai in 2002 and was re-elected in 2012 and 2017. During her three terms, Pednekar has held key positions in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) including as a member of the standing committee that scrutinises the civic agency’s financial transactions.