A doc was 1st to realise BJP’s mayoral dream

Dr Prabhakar Sanjeev Pai, who hailed from Udupi in Karnataka, became first mayor from the BJP in 1982

- Devashri Bhujbal

The BJP is all set to have its mayor in Mumbai later this week once the negotiations with Shinde Sena and the registration of the Mahayuti corporators are completed.

However, unlike many think, this will not be the first time that the metropolis will have a BJP mayor.

It was in 1982 when Dr Prabhakar Sanjeev Pai, who hailed from Udupi in Karnataka, became the first mayor from the party. However, this time, the BJP has vowed to install a Marathi mayor and the names of senior corporators like Alka Kerkar and Rajashree Shirwadkar are emerging on the top.

A bird’s-eye view of Dr Pai’s political journey

Dr Prabhakar Pai was the 53rd mayor of the erstwhile Bombay from 1982 to 83, a couple of years after the BJP was formed. He started with the Congress and eventually joined the Janata Party. A doctor and social worker, he also founded Janata Seva Sangh.