Parbhani Makes History: Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Syed Iqbal Becomes First Muslim Mayor

In a significant political shift, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) has elected its first Muslim mayor in Parbhani, marking a symbolic departure from the party’s earlier history of hardline identity politics. Syed Iqbal Syed Khwaja, a 40-year-old first-time corporator, was chosen as mayor of the Parbhani Municipal Corporation with the backing of the Congress, defeating the BJP’s Tirumala Khilare in a direct contest.

Khwaja secured 39 votes in the 65-member civic body, comfortably crossing the majority mark of 33, while Khilare received 26 votes. The result is particularly notable as Parbhani becomes the only municipal corporation currently governed by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena faction. The development underscores shifting political equations in the region and signals a recalibration of the party’s local outreach strategy.

Parbhani, located in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region, has historically been seen as a testing ground for religious polarisation during elections. The city was once associated with “Khan vs Ban” style campaign narratives that reflected communal divides. Against this backdrop, the elevation of a Muslim leader from the Sena’s ranks represents a striking political moment, both symbolically and strategically.

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Khwaja, known locally as a social activist, is the younger brother of Syed Abdul Khadar, a businessman and social worker with considerable influence in Parbhani’s Muslim-majority areas. His candidature and subsequent victory were viewed as an effort to consolidate minority support while broadening the Sena (UBT)’s base beyond its traditional constituencies.

Political observers note that the outcome reflects changing voter priorities in urban local bodies, where governance and coalition-building often outweigh ideological positioning. The Congress’s support proved decisive in ensuring Khwaja’s victory, highlighting the importance of opposition unity in civic contests across Maharashtra.

For the Shiv Sena (UBT), the win is both numerically and symbolically significant. As the party navigates internal splits and competition from rival factions, Parbhani’s result offers a narrative of inclusivity and coalition politics. Whether this signals a broader ideological evolution or remains a localised political strategy will likely become clearer in upcoming electoral battles across the state.

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