MLA Writes to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Making a Big Demand Regarding Mumbai Municipal Elections
For the past four years, there has been a consistent demand for holding elections, but no concrete decision has been made so far. In this context, a Samajwadi Party MLA has made a significant statement about the elections.
Mumbai : Local body elections, including for municipal corporations, district councils, and panchayat committees, have been delayed in the state due to various reasons such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the OBC reservation issue. Elections for local self-government institutions have still not been held. For the past four years, there has been a constant demand for these elections, but no decisive action has been taken. Now, a Samajwadi Party MLA has made a major demand regarding the elections.
Demand for Holding Elections Before March 7, 2025
Raees Sheikh, a Samajwadi Party MLA, has written a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, demanding that the elections for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other local self-government bodies in the state be held before March 7, 2025. In his letter, Sheikh raised concerns over the prolonged administration of the BMC without elected representatives. The BMC has been under administrative rule since March 7, 2022. He highlighted that the prolonged governance of the country’s financial capital without elected representatives is detrimental to Indian democracy.
Key Points in Raees Sheikh’s Letter
The Mumbai Municipal Corporation is the largest local self-government institution in Asia. Its term ended on March 7, 2022, and by March 7, it will complete three years under administrative rule. Sheikh emphasized that it is not honorable for the country’s financial capital to be run without elected representatives for such a long time, which he believes is harmful to the democratic system.
In his letter, Sheikh also pointed out that elections for 29 municipal corporations, 228 municipal councils, 29 municipal panchayats, 26 district councils, and 289 panchayat committees in the state are pending. With the ruling government now stable, Sheikh urged that elections for all these local bodies, including the BMC, should be held before March 7, as this is the demand of an elected representative.
