By Rehan Ansari, TwoCircles.net,
Mumbai: Bhiwandi Nizampur Municipal Corporation (BNMC) is a unique local body in Maharashtra where the Independent candidates have ruled with the support of Congress-NCP or Shiv Sena-BJP alliances since its inception. The trend is most likely to remain unchanged after the polls due on 15th April. Bhiwandi, 44 kms from Mumbai, is a power loom city with Muslims as majority community.
Like in the past, this time also the chances of Independent candidates coming to power are bright. Talking about this distinction of BNMC, Qutbuddin Shahid, Sub Editor, Inquilab Urdu daily said, “The election in Bhiwandi is more personality centric than party centric.” He observed, “People fight the election on party basis but after winning they choose parties or remain Independent according to their convenience.”
About the changing election atmosphere he said, “Like metro cities, money and muscle power is playing an important role here also this time. No Aam Admi or poor social worker can fight the election; even he can’t get the tickets.”
Shahid also complained about the distribution of tickets by political parties. He said, “One individual tries to get tickets from many parties. If he or she can’t get one he shifts and changes the party.”
Explaining about the infighting between Congress workers and poor distribution of tickets, Anas Ansari, Senior Congress leader of Bhiwandi said, “Congress will lose here like it lost the election in UP and Samajwadi Party may win the Mayoral post.” Diehard Congress worker Anas complained, “Senior Congress workers are neglected because the People of Vikas Manch Aghadi, who oppose the Congress since its inception are ruling the party. “Further he complained that Ghulam Mohammed, President of Minority Cell was not informed about the visit of Chief Minister, neither was he consulted for the ticket distribution. He alleged that the new president Shoeb Guddu and EX-MLA Javed Dalvi are destroying the party.
The 90-seat BNMC has the largest population (4.59 lacs) among the five municipal corporations going to poll on 15th April in Maharashtra. Although the political stakes may not be high as compared to the recent elections to municipal corporations like Mumbai and Thane, nevertheless all eyes will be on the outcome of elections in Bhiwandi-Nizampur, Malegaon, Latur and Chandrapur.
From the Congress and NCP to BJP and Shiv Sena to MNS and Samajwadi Party all the national and regional parties are trying to woo the voters, majority of whom are Muslims. They are trying hard to drive out the Independents this time but without any alliance. All the parties are going alone in the poll.
Meanwhile, three candidates, Urmila Chaudhry and Balaram Chaudhry from the Shiv Sena and Manoj Mhatre of Congress have been declared winner because of no opposition in their wards.
For the 90 seats, the Congress has 72 candidates in the fray, while NCP has 59. The Shiv Sena has 38, BJP 28 and MNS 14, while the Samajwadi Party has 62 candidates in the fray.
Suresh Tawde from Congress who is now the Member of Parliament was the first Mayor of BNMC followed by Javed Dalvi, of Vikas Manch Aghadi with the support of Congress. He was later elected as the MLA from the Congress ticket.
The counting will be held on 16th April, 2012.
Website: http://www.bncmc.gov.in/