In a significant development ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the Mumbai unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has formally raised an alarm over alleged irregularities in the nomination process. The party's city chief has accused a candidate of attempting to file nomination papers using duplicate and unauthorized documents.
Formal Complaint Lodged with Election Officer
BJP Mumbai unit president Ameet Satam took official action on December 31, submitting a detailed complaint to the election officer overseeing the crucial BMC polls. The complaint centers on the candidature of Shilpa Keluskar, who filed her nomination as the party's official candidate from Ward No. 173.
In his letter, Satam presented a clear sequence of events. He stated that the official AB form, a mandatory document issued by the party to authorize a candidate, which was initially given to Keluskar was subsequently taken back. Despite this, duplicate copies of the AB form were submitted to the election office by Keluskar to support her nomination.
Allegations of Forgery and Unauthorized Submission
The core of the complaint hinges on the authenticity of the submitted documents. Satam's letter explicitly requested the election officer to discard the duplicate AB forms presented by Keluskar, asserting they were not valid for the nomination process.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed a more serious charge embedded in the complaint. Satam's signature on the duplicate AB forms is alleged to have been forged. This accusation elevates the issue from a procedural discrepancy to a potential case of document forgery, a serious electoral offense.
Implications for BMC Ward 173 and Upcoming Polls
This incident throws the electoral proceedings for Ward No. 173 into uncertainty and highlights the intense internal scrutiny within political parties during ticket distribution. The complaint underscores the BJP's attempt to maintain strict control over its official candidates and prevent any unauthorized claims to its ticket.
The election officer now faces the critical task of verifying the authenticity of the documents and determining the validity of Shilpa Keluskar's nomination. The outcome will directly impact who is recognized as the BJP's official candidate in the ward, setting the stage for the upcoming civic polls in Mumbai.
This development serves as a reminder of the high stakes involved in BMC elections, where control of India's richest municipal corporation is fiercely contested. It also puts a spotlight on the mechanisms parties use to enforce discipline and the challenges that can arise during the nomination phase.
