In the bustling metropolis of Maharashtra's capital, Mumbai, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its first list of 70 candidates for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, released just a day before the nomination deadline. This list strikes a balance between seasoned veterans and vibrant newcomers, featuring both incumbent councilors and fresh faces.
According to reports from a news agency, the standout name is Navnath Ban, the party's state media head, who, at age 38, is the youngest among the declared candidates. Ban is set to run from Ward No. 135 in the Shivajinagar area of Mumbai. Sources within the party emphasize that this time around, the BJP is focusing on urban issues, organizational robustness, and the energetic involvement of youth as central elements of its electoral strategy.
70 Names in BJP’s Initial List
Elections in Maharashtra's 29 municipal corporations, with the Mumbai election being the most crucial, are slated for January 15, with counting on January 16. The BMC election in Mumbai holds enormous political significance, often viewed as a semi-final to more extensive state power.
The BMC elections of 2017 saw voting for 227 seats. In a dramatic leap, BJP captured 82 seats, fiercely challenging its then-ally Shiv Sena, which secured 84 seats to lead. The Congress settled in third place with 31 seats, while the undivided Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) won 9 and 7 seats, respectively.
401 Nominations Filed So Far
Additionally, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) made its debut by securing three seats, the Samajwadi Party won six seats, the All India Sena got one, and independents claimed victory in four seats.
This time, the nomination process has picked up pace quickly. On the day before the final nomination, 357 forms were submitted, bringing the total number of nominations to 401. Following BJP’s announcement, political intrigue intensifies with other parties strategizing their candidates and plans.
