Mumbai's BMC House Welcomes Fresh Faces After Four-Year Hiatus
When the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) House convenes after a gap of nearly four years, a significant transformation awaits. Over 55% of its 227 corporators will be first-timers, marking a substantial influx of new blood into Mumbai's civic governance. Many of these newcomers are relatives of former corporators, continuing political legacies while bringing fresh perspectives to the table.
Political Parties Embrace New Entrants
The composition reveals interesting patterns across major political parties. Among the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) 89 corporators, forty-three are debutants. Similarly, Shiv Sena (UBT), the second-largest party with 65 corporators, has thirty-eight first-timers. This shift indicates a deliberate move toward younger, potentially more dynamic representation in Mumbai's civic affairs.
Confidence Amidst Inexperience
Hetal Gala Morvekar, one of BJP's new entrants, does not view her inexperience as a hindrance. "I have been socially and politically active and have been working with MLA Mihir Kotecha," she stated. "Besides, we have a team on ground and party leaders, too, will guide us through the process." She has already met BMC officials in her ward and begun addressing issues related to cleanliness, housekeeping, sewerage, and toilets.
"As elections happened after a long time, people have a lot of expectations," Morvekar added. "Those living in slums expect immediate action on the ground. I will learn some of the aspects of civic functioning on the job."
Seasoned Leaders Express Optimism
Political veterans anticipate a smooth transition for these newcomers. Former corporator Bhalchandra Shirsat from BJP expects first-timers to settle into their roles within six months. Ashraf Azmi, a third-time corporator and Congress group leader, believes that what greenhorns lack in experience, they can compensate for with talent.
"They are smart, educated and aware," Azmi remarked. "Besides, they are all connected to politics in one way or the other and are supported by senior corporators. The younger generation is aware of what role a corporator plays, especially about issues such as civic infrastructure, cleanliness, sanitation and traffic congestion."
Azmi further emphasized that these new representatives will ensure the civic administration remains accountable. "They will ensure that the civic administration is made answerable. Many of them will also learn about the issues when they are debated in the House," he said.
Balancing Fresh Energy with Experienced Guidance
Some political observers caution that experienced hands are crucial for the House to function smoothly. They note that the governing side relies on seasoned members for better administration and management, while the opposition depends on them to hold the administration and governing front accountable.
Nevertheless, Azmi remains confident about the opposition's strength. "The governing front will face a strong opposition and it will not be able to get away with arbitrary action," he asserted. "Besides, the administration will not be able to dodge the newly elected representatives, and social media too will play a role in this."
Legacy and Learning in the New Era
Dr. Aditi Khursange, a first-timer carrying on her family's legacy—both her parents are former corporators—said she is already familiar with BMC's functioning. However, she acknowledged that developing relationships with ward-level civic staff will require some time.
Many young corporators are optimistic that party workers and ground-level activists will assist them during this learning phase. "I don't see inexperience as a negative attribute," Khursange stated. "There is a mismatch among what the people need, what the BMC administration believes they need, and what is eventually delivered. This gap will be reduced."
As Mumbai's BMC House embarks on this new chapter, the blend of fresh energy and seasoned guidance promises to shape the city's civic governance in unprecedented ways. The expectations are high, and all eyes are on these first-timers to bridge the gap between public needs and administrative delivery.
