The corporator-turned MLAs in the civic body have resorted to playing dynasty politics and have carefully drafted their plans to keep a hold over their constituencies — by pitch forking their kin in the next elections.
In 2009, out of the 19 corporators who contested the state Assembly elections, eight had emerged victorious. Among the prominent winners were the then standing committee chairman Ravindra Waikar, the then Leader of Opposition Rajhans Singh, senior BJP leader Yogesh Sagar and the MNS’ Mangesh Sangle. Apart from them, Amin Patel, Aslam Shaikh, Ramesh Singh Thakur (Congress) and Bala Sawant (Shiv Sena) also emerged victorious.
According to sources in their parties, most of these MLAs have started preparations to retain their hold on constituencies by projecting their family members in their wards. Going by their approach, the dynasty politics is likely to continue in the next BMC house too.
When asked about this, Dindoshi MLA Rajhans Singh was quite forthcoming in his reply. Being a youth Congress leader, his son Nitesh has been involved in active politics and expected to contest from Kurla. Rajhans said, “My son has been a Congress party worker for quite a long time and he has every right to ask for a party ticket. It is up to the party to decide whether to give him one or not.”
Ramesh Singh Thakur, the Congress MLA from Kandivali East, has also shown an interest to field his wife from his ward. According to sources from his party, Mr Thakur, who has a lot of clout in his constituency, will not face any problems in getting his spouse elected to the constituency.
Vikhroli MLA Mangesh Sangle’s ward has already been reserved for women in the next elections. However, he denied any intentions to field any of his family members even from the neighbouring ward. “I have already become an MLA and will not recommend any relative to contest the election,” he said.
Another MLA, who did not wish to be named, said that he is waiting for the outcome of the reservation draw before taking a call on the matter. “Let the lottery result come out. Then we will decide whether to contest or not,” he added.
From the next election, 50 per cent of the seats in the BMC house will be reserved for women. The Maharashtra Assembly passed a bill in this regard, giving 50 per cent reservation to women in municipal corporations, district councils, municipal councils and village councils.
This means that half of the seats, or perhaps even more if women also get selected from general seats, in the BMC will be occupied by the fairer sex. The lottery
for civic ward reservation will be held at Rangsharada Hall at Bandra on Wednesday.