Maharashtra: Leave Assembly-Lok Sabha, dynasty of Mahayuti dominates in civic elections too

In Maharashtra, ‘familism’ seems to be completely dominating the Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections. The Mahayuti alliance has distributed tickets extensively in the elections to the relatives of its prominent leaders. From Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to close relatives of many state ministers are in the fray in these elections.

At least 29 relatives of top BJP leaders are contesting elections across the state. At the same time, relatives of more than 12 leaders from Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP have also become candidates. The most surprising case is of Kulgaon-Badlapur Municipal Council of Thane district, where 6 family members of the same leader of Shinde faction are waiting for the mandate.

Also read: Mahayuti vs Grand Alliance: The one who is the enemy is the friend, the one who is the friend is the enemy

How much nepotism is there in Mahayuti?

There is a Mahayuti government in Maharashtra. Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party are the major parties. Eknath Shinde is the head of Shiv Sena, Ajit Pawar is the head of Nationalist Congress Party. Family members of prominent leaders of all three parties have entered the election fray. In many places, familyism is so dominant that six members of the same family are in the electoral fray.

A family got 6 tickets in Badlapur

In Kulgaon-Badlapur, city chief of Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) Vaman Mhatre himself is contesting for the post of chairman. Apart from him, his wife Veena, brother Tukaram, sister-in-law Usha, son Varun and nephew Bhavesh are also candidates from different panels.

Also read:Leaders of Mahayuti are busy strengthening themselves at each other’s expense.

BJP fielded husband, wife and mother-in-law together

BJP has made Tejashree Karanjule its candidate for the post of Mayor in Ambernath Municipal Council. Her husband Abhijeet and mother-in-law Alpana have also been given tickets.

Which relatives of big ministers contested the elections?

• Devendra Fadnavis: CM Fadnavis’s cousin Alhad Kaloti has also been elected unopposed in Chikhaldara Municipal Council of Nagpur division.
• Girish Mahajan: Sadhna Mahajan, wife of Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan, is contesting elections from Jamner Municipal Council in Jalgaon.
• Jaikumar Rawal: Nayan Kunwar Rawal, mother of minister Jaikumar Rawal, has been elected unopposed from Dondaicha-Warwade Municipal Council in Dhule district.

BJP has distributed multiple tickets among the same family on some seats. In Kulgaon-Badlapur itself, BJP has also fielded many husband-wife pairs. Ruchita and Rajendra Ghorpade are husband and wife. Sharad and Kavita Teli are also a couple.

Also read:‘We believe in Ram, we will burn Lanka…’, did Fadnavis give a message to Shinde?

Workers angry, yet nepotism

Common workers of Mahayuti say that they are feeling neglected as influential families are getting tickets instead of those who have been working for the party for years. They contest elections for big posts, now people are giving priority to their families even in civic elections.

Why is nepotism prevalent in civic elections?

Local leaders believe that municipal bodies have now become a ‘launch pad’ for family members of politicians. State Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis himself has also been a councilor. Civic elections are like a launchpad to contest future assembly or Lok Sabha elections. The second argument is that leaders who have more chances of winning are also given opportunities.