By Rehan Ansari, TwoCircles.net,
Mumbai: For the first time, Mumbai will empower women by voting for half of 227 Mumbai Municipal Corporation seats going to be held on 16th February 2012. The Maharashtra cabinet has approved 50% reservation for women in local self-government bodies in March, 2010. Being the last day on 31st January, for the submission of nomination paper, all the parties and interestingly citizens candidates are gearing up for campaign now.
After a crucial tug of war and hectic negotiation, it’s also the first time — since NCP was formed – when ruling Congress-NCP alliance will contest the Municipal corporation election jointly to take over Shiv Sena-BJP who are governing the richest civic body in Asia with an annual fiscal budget of Rs. 21,000 crore, since last 17 years.
BMC head office
The Congress will contest 169 seats and the NCP 58 in the 227-strong BMC house — the alliance materialised for the first time since the formation of the NCP over a decade ago.
For the first time after a break up of Udhav (son of Bal Thackrey) and Raj Thackrey (Nephew of Bal Thakrey), Shiv Sena- BJP found a new and unusual ally in the form of Republican Party of India (Athavle group).
Shiv Sena will contest 135 seats out of a total 227 seats and BJP will field candidates in 63 wards, while the RPI(A) has been given 29 seats.
Two important parties which can be kingmakers or at least spoil the chances of both the leading sides are Raj Thakrey’s Mahrashtra Nav Nirman Sena (MNS) who made major inroads in Mumbai and Nashik and Abu Asim Azmi led Samajwadi Party(SP). Both of them are going solo in this election.
MNS hit the headlines last month by becoming the first political party to hold entrance examination for aspiring candidates. The test was based on basic knowledge related to working of BMC, its history and latest developments.
Helpline No- 09225320011.
BMC Elections 2012: Important dates
Announcement of election dates: 5th Jan. 2012
Submission of Nomination forms: 24th Jan. 2012 – 31st Jan. 2012
Scrutiny of Received Nominations: 1st Feb. 2012
Medical Fitness Eligibility: 1st Feb. 2012
Last date to withdraw nomination: 3rd Feb. 2012
Announcment of Election Symbols: 4th Feb. 2012
Announcement of List of Candidates: 4th Feb. 2012
Campaigning ends: 14th Feb. 2012
Voting Day: 16th Feb. 2012
Counting and Results: 17th Feb. 2012
Important websites to follow BMC election 2012
http://www.mcgmelection.org/
http://www.karmayog.org/bmcelections2012/
http://mumbaibmcelection.com/
http://bmcelections2012.com/
http://www.karmayogi.net/