Citizen candidates for BMC elections face threats

With a month to go for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, a section of politicos already appear to be threatened by activities of citizen candidates and are anticipating a vote split. Proof of this fear is the fact that candidates of Mumbai 227, a platform extending support to independent candidates, are allegedly being offered money to either withdraw their nominations or aid the win of a particular candidate. 

“I have already received an offer from a party. They wanted to fund my campaign so that votes in my favour would eat into their rival’s vote bank and thereby enable their candidate to win. But I preferred not to fall prey to such a tactic,” said Mohammed Ali Ansari, the forum’s candidate for ward number 62.

Benaifer Daruwala, another contestant in Mumbai 227, claimed a member of her inner circle received a phone call asking them to stop their activities. “They thought we were doing promotional work ahead of the polls. A hefty amount was offered to keep us quiet,” said the 25-year-old contestant from ward number 71.

However, candidates are determined not to succumb to such pressure tactics. “We have been anticipating this. But I am ready to face the consequences,” Ansari, a teacher by profession, added.

In response, members of Mumbai 227 are now chalking out a resistant action plan to ensure that their candidates do not fall prey to monetary offers or even muscle power, which the forum anticipates will be put to use as the elections near.

“We will organise a session by experts to help our candidates tackle pressure tactics used by politicians. They will be made aware about what to do if threatened or lured by someone,” said Santosh Awatramani, spokesperson for Mumbai 227.

“We have the support of the cops. Besides, the experience of ex-policemen and legal experts associated with Mumbai 227 will come in handy to overcome pressure tactics.”