Though Not Officially Announced, Congress Candidates In MLA Aslam Shaikh’s Malad West Wards Start Aggressive Campaigning

MUMBAI: With the Election Commission of Maharashtra or State Election Commission (SEC) accepting nominations for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) from December 23 onward, Congress ward candidates in the Malad West area, that falls within the purview of MLA Aslam Shaikh jurisdiction, have started aggressive campaigning. One or two of them who are sure of getting the tickets have even opened their campaign offices and appointed their team to man the offices.

Though the Mumbai unit of the Congress has not yet officially declared any list of candidates for the BMC polls, some candidates all over Mumbai who are quite sure of getting selected have already started their campaigning. The party is expected to declare the first list of candidates in the next two days.

In the Malad West belt, Parminder Singh Bhamra of Ward No 47, who has already started his campaign is aggressively making moves towards active campaigning. Similarly, one more aspiring Congress candidate from Ward No 35 is on the campaign trail.

Under the instructions and guidance of MLA Aslam Shaikh – as one candidate puts it, the Congress in Malad West is leaving no stone upturned to ensure the victory of all its candidates, even though the names have not yet been officially announced. As a senior Malad Congress worker puts it, out of the 6-7 wards in Malad West zone, barring one or two, the Congress candidates are already finalised and while the official announcement may be 2-3 days later, the candidates have already started making their preparations.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and Shiv Sena (UBT) which are contesting on their own, without the Congress, are yet to resolve the deadlock over a couple of seats for the BMC polls as both parties enjoy influence in those areas of the city, an MNS functionary said.

An MNS leader said the stalemate is over seats in Bhandup, particularly ward No. 114. Bhandup and Vikhroli in the eastern suburbs are the areas where both Uddhav Thackeray’s Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray’s MNS have a strong presence. In addition to ward No. 114, at least 4 more wards are a bone of contention for the MNS and the Shiv Sena (UBT).

The Congress which is going solo in Mumbai is likely to announce the list of all candidates by the end of this week, sources in the party said.