On Tuesday, BJP announced its first list of candidates for 32 seats.
The Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) has emerged as the pro-woman candidates’ party by offering an open seat to deputy mayor Shailaja Girkar, despite women getting 50% reservation in the upcoming civic polls.
On Tuesday, BJP announced its first list of candidates for 32 seats, including Girkar for ward number 20 (Mahavir Nagar - Dahanukar Wadi) in Kandivli (West). The first list has 20 fresh candidates and 10 sitting candidates, including a total of 13 women.
“Though it (ward 20) was an open seat, we thought it was wise to give it to Girkar as she has base there. Also, this will prove that if a woman has the mettle, she can beat the male counterparts in her ward. The decision was purely on merit,” said Raj Purohit, city BJP president.
But, party functionaries were disappointed. “No doubt Girkar deserved the seat, but it was principally decided that no open seat will be given to woman as they have already eaten into 17% more seats this time around. They could have adjusted her on some other seat,” said a party leader, who was denied ticket in the first list.
Of the 227 seats, the BJP will contest from 63 seats, and the rest have been divided between its alliance partners -the Shiv Sena and Republican Party of India.
Though BJP had promised that it would not nominate the family members or personal assistants (PA) of top leaders, the party was forced to make a few exceptions.
Amit Satam, who is contesting from Lalubhai Park in Andheri West was senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde’s PA, while Dipak Dalvi, who is contesting from Vikhroli, was former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya’s PA.
But, the party insists the duo was selected on merit. “Satam is the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha chief, while Dalvi is in charge of the northeastern region of Mumbai,” said Purohit.
Former petroleum minister Ram Naik said though the two men had started out as PAs, they had moved on to bigger responsibilities. “Everyone moves on, why can’t they?” he asked.
The BJP also worked hard to keep its promise that family members would not be offered seats unless they are party workers. So, in ward number 141 (Anik Village), Vitthal Kharatmol is standing in lieu of his wife, Rukmini. In 2007, when this ward was reserved for woman candidates, his wife had replaced him. Similarly, in ward number 81 (Vile Parle east), Shailaja Kshirsagar is now standing in for her husband.
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