The Aryavarth Express
Mumbai (Maharashtra): The Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Sunday released its first list of 37 candidates for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, with party leader Sana Malik-Shaikh stating that the list reflects inclusive representation across diverse sections of society.
Malik-Shaikh said the party has been mindful of social diversity while finalising candidates. “The NCP has announced its first list of 37 candidates for the BMC polls. We have ensured representation from various sections of society. The second and third lists will be finalised and released soon,” she said, expressing confidence in the party’s prospects in the civic elections.
Her comments came against the backdrop of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar’s announcement of an understanding between the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and the Sharad Pawar faction in Pimpri Chinchwad for the forthcoming local body polls. Reacting to this, Malik-Shaikh said the party remains optimistic. “We are hopeful of getting good results in the elections,” she added.
Earlier in the day, the NCP formally declared its first list of candidates for the BMC elections scheduled for January 15, indicating that the party will contest the Mumbai civic polls independently for now. Party sources said additional candidate lists are expected to be released shortly.
The first list includes Manish Dubey (Ward 3), Cyril Peter D’Souza (Ward 48), Ahmed Khan (Ward 62), Baban Ramchandra Madne (Ward 76), Sachin Tambe (Ward 93), Ayesha Shams Khan (Ward 96), Abdul Rashid ‘Captain’ Malik (Ward 165), and Sabia Aslam Merchant (Ward 224). Other candidates named include Akshay Mohan Pawar, Jyoti Devidas Sadavarte, Rachana Ravindra Gavas, Bhagyashree Rajesh Kedare, and Dr. Saeeda Khan, among others.
Meanwhile, Mumbai BJP president Ameet Satam said on Saturday that the Mahayuti alliance has finalised seat-sharing for 207 seats in the BMC polls, with the BJP set to contest 128 seats and the Shiv Sena 79. Polling for the BMC and other municipal corporations across Maharashtra will take place on January 15, with results to be declared on January 16.
