Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Dec 20: Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad on Saturday asserted that voters in the metropolis would reject the BJP’s “religious politics and double standards” in the forthcoming municipal elections and instead focus on pressing civic issues, PTI reported.
Polling for 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), is scheduled to be held on January 15, with counting to take place the following day.
Accusing the BJP of resorting to religious polarisation ahead of elections, Gaikwad said, “Whenever elections come, the BJP starts playing religious politics,” according to a statement quoted by PTI.
She alleged contradictions in the BJP’s political stand, pointing out that while BJP Mumbai unit chief Ameet Satam has claimed that NCP leader Nawab Malik is unacceptable, senior BJP leader Ashish Shelar continues to hold discussions with Sunil Tatkare, the state president of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction.
“The BJP says Nawab Malik is unwanted, yet his MLA daughter Sana Malik votes in favour of the BJP government. This clearly exposes the party’s double standards,” Gaikwad alleged.
The Lok Sabha MP further said that the BJP’s strategy of clinging to power while turning to religious politics during elections is evident to the people of Mumbai. “Mumbaikars will not be misled by this,” she asserted, adding that voters would prioritise genuine civic concerns such as the condition of roads, traffic congestion, clean drinking water and air quality.
Earlier, Gaikwad had alleged that corruption increased during the period when the BMC was under an administrator, claiming that citizens were deprived of basic amenities including good roads, reliable water supply, clean air, education and healthcare.
She also pointed out that the BJP, along with the undivided Shiv Sena, had ruled the BMC for nearly 25 years, and that the civic body has been under an administrator appointed by the BJP-led state government for the past three years. During this period, she alleged, the BMC’s treasury was misused.