In a significant development during the high-stakes campaign for the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) elections, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader has made serious allegations of financial malpractice against political opponents. State Forest Minister and Palghar District Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik has claimed that rival parties are distributing money to influence voters.
Allegations of Money Power in Civic Polls
While addressing an election rally in Navi Mumbai, Minister Naik did not explicitly name the Shiv Sena. However, he described it as the BJP's major opponent in the civic polls and accused his party's rivals of resorting to monetary incentives to sway the electorate. He expressed confidence that such tactics would fail, asserting that the voters of Navi Mumbai are discerning and cannot be bought with cash.
"These tricks will not work as I know the voters of Navi Mumbai are never swayed by money," Naik stated, highlighting his faith in the democratic spirit of the city's residents.
Why BJP Chose to Go Solo in Navi Mumbai
Explaining the BJP's decision to contest the Navi Mumbai elections alone, rather than forming an alliance with the Shiv Sena as seen in neighbouring civic bodies, Naik provided a strategic rationale. He pointed out that the BJP has a strong grassroots presence in the area.
"Had we struck a deal with the Shiv Sena to create an alliance in Navi Mumbai on the lines of neighbouring cities like Mumbai, Thane, Panvel and Kalyan Dombivli, it would have been injustice to BJP functionaries who were working hard for years on the ground," Naik explained. This statement underscores the party's confidence in its local cadre and its decision to reward their efforts with exclusive candidacies.
Confident Predictions and Sharp Rebuttals
Displaying immense optimism, Minister Naik predicted a decisive victory for the BJP in the upcoming polls. He went a step further by claiming that the next mayor of Navi Mumbai would be from the BJP, signalling the party's ambition to secure full control of the civic administration.
The allegations, however, were met with a sharp retort from the Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena deputy leader and retired IAS officer Vijay Nahata countered the claims, turning the accusation back on the BJP. Nahata suggested that the practice of distributing money was actually a tradition of those who were pointing fingers at his party.
This exchange of allegations sets the stage for a fiercely contested election, with both major parties trading charges of unethical practices while vying for the trust of Navi Mumbai's voters. The outcome will be a crucial indicator of the political landscape in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
