In a significant move aimed at curbing political nepotism, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra has declared that relatives of its sitting Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Members of Parliament (MPs) will not be given any official post in municipal corporations, even if they get elected in the upcoming civic polls.
A Directive Against Dynastic Politics
State BJP president Ravindra Chavan made this announcement on Sunday in Nashik. He revealed that the party had taken a firm resolution to not award tickets to the relatives of its current legislators. This decision was formalized just days before the election process for 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, scheduled for January 15, was set to begin.
"The decision has been implemented wherever possible," Chavan told reporters, emphasizing the party's intent to enforce this rule uniformly. The move is seen as an attempt to project an image of a party that discourages family-centric politics and promotes meritocracy within urban local bodies.
Admitting to Implementation Hiccups
However, the announcement was met with questions about its consistent application. It was pointed out that in Jalgaon, Vishal Bhole, the son of MLA Suresh Bhole, was elected unopposed. In other instances, like the kin of MLA Devyani Pharande and MLA Seema Hiray, nominations were withdrawn following the party's directive.
Addressing these apparent inconsistencies, Chavan clarified that the directive was uniform and time-bound. He acknowledged practical challenges, stating, "the directive did not reach some areas in time, resulting in a few relatives of legislators entering the fray." Despite these exceptions, he firmly added, "Even in such cases, the party will not assign any post to them." This underscores that the ban on holding official positions remains absolute, regardless of election outcomes.
Confident Predictions for Civic Polls
Amidst this internal policy shift, senior BJP leader Girish Mahajan expressed strong confidence about the party's prospects in the imminent elections. He asserted that the BJP is poised to win the polls in 10 major municipal corporations, including Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, and Ulhasnagar.
In a bold prediction targeting the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, Mahajan claimed that the MVA would not secure a single civic body in the state. This statement sets the stage for a highly contested election, with the BJP's new anti-nepotism stance being a central talking point.
The party's dual strategy—enforcing a strict internal code against family appointments while projecting confidence in a sweeping electoral victory—highlights its approach to the crucial urban local body polls in Maharashtra.
