Nine Defining Quotes That Sum up BMC Campaigning

The high-voltage Mumbai campaign in a nutshell. If you are in Mumbai, you must read these before going out to vote.

(Photo courtesy: Reuters)

The campaigning for the richest & the biggest municipal polls is over. In case you missed who said what, here are the nine most important quotes that sum up the entire BMC campaign for you.

These quotes not only made headlines on the respective days, but also tell us the agenda of every party. Every Mumbaikar should read them before going to vote on coming Tuesday, 21 February:

1. Uddhav Thackeray

Despite being in power in Mumbai for 20 years, the Shiv Sena chief’s speeches were less about his party’s performance and more about emotions.

We will strangle them if they (BJP) think about removing Mumbai from Maharashtra. That question doesn’t arise. And forget a separate Vidarbha; we will not let you take away even an inch of Maharashtra’s land.

Uddhav’s repeated assertions that Mumbai and Marathi manoos will be in trouble if the Shiv Sena loses power to the BJP are part of an attempt to consolidate 24% Marathi votes.

2. Devendra Fadnavis

People come in for Devendra Fadnavis’ final rally in Mumbai on Friday, 18 February. (Picture: Ashish Dikshit)

BJP has made CM Devendra Fadnavis, who hails from Nagpur, its face for the Mumbai elections. Fadnavis has spent little time replying to Shiv Sena’s allegations and more time promising the moon.

The BMC must be transparent and citizens shall have the right to complain against the civic body. We will provide 24-hour water supply, pothole-free roads, stable property tax for five years and citizen smart cards for every Mumbaikar.

Fadnavis was called 'feku' by other parties for promising 24-hour water and housing for all Mumbaikars by 2022. He also seemed to be isolated as BJP leaders like Vinod Tawde, Poonam Mahajan and Pankaja Munde were reportedly not comfortable taking on the Shiv Sena during campaigning.

3. Sanjay Raut

Shiv Sena has been targeting Fadnavis and Narendra Modi from day 1. Sanjay Raut, editor of party’s mouthpiece Saamana , is known for his acrimonious language.

Fadnavis is soon going to become an ex-Chief Minister. He has opened up a ‘clean chit factory’ where hooligans and criminals are promptly given a clean chit by him. There will be a drastic change in the political situation of Maharashtra after 23 February.

Shiv Sena leaders say that the party will “soon” walk out of the Fadnavis government. It is rumoured that the party will pull out a day before voting on 21 February.

Also Read: BJP Is ‘BGP’ in Maharashtra – Bharatiya Goons Party

4. Kirit Somaiya

BJP MP Kirit Somaiya, who had exposed corruption of Congress and NCP leaders, is now after Uddhav Thackeray, who he addressed as “Bandra Saheb”.

I myself declare and confirm that I have never been involved in any non-transparent transaction shell company. Let Uddhav Thackeray declare all his financial transactions before the public.

This is the first time a corruption charge has been levelled against any Thackeray. Shiv Sena leaders believe that more the BJP targets Uddhav, more it will help the Shiv Sena.

5. Raj Thackeray

(Photo courtesy: twitter.com/@NewsinMumbai))

Apart from ridiculing leaders across the spectrum, the MNS chief made Powerpoint presentations of the work his party has done in Nashik municipal corporation.

What others couldn’t do for 25 years, I’ve done in Nashik in 5 years. I will do the same in your city if you give me a chance. The Shiv Sena and the BJP are fooling you.

With his party leaders deserting him one by one, Raj Thackeray is fighting for relevance in these polls. Things got worse when his son was hospitalised and he lost a crucial week of campaigning.

Also Read: Opportunity Knocks Only Once and Raj Thackeray Missed It Thrice!

6. Narayan Rane

A major infighting erupted in the Mumbai Congress ahead of polls. Several senior leaders were upset as their supporters were denied tickets.

An alliance with the NCP would have helped, but (Mumbai Congress president) Nirupam didn’t find it necessary. He thinks he is capable of campaigning in Mumbai. I have got invitations from 25 other districts. I will campaign there.

Finally, party veterans in Delhi managed to placate Rane, Kamat and other sulking seniors, who campaigned for the party in the last week.

Also Read: These 5 Leaders Are Why the Congress Will Lose the BMC Polls

7. Digvijaya Singh

He's the only well-known national leader the Congress managed to fetch for campaigning in Mumbai. Although many doubt his effectiveness in BMC polls, he could at least draw media attention by making strong points.

BJP campaign posters have 80 percent Devendra Fadnavis and 20 percent Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Fadnavis thinks Modi is not a marketable face after demonetisation.

Congress leaders in Mumbai held several rallies, but the party unit lacks effective orators and especially those who can communicate in Marathi.

8. Sharad Pawar

NCP chief admitted in interviews that his party has little presence in Mumbai, but it is the ruling party in Pune and faces a direct fight with the BJP. So, Pawar found it necessary to send a clear anti-BJP message after flirting with Modi & Fadnavis for two-and-a-half years.

I give it in writing that the NCP won’t support the Fadnavis government if such a situation (of Sena pulling out) occurs. The NCP is ready to face elections. The state is not going to suffer in any way if mid-term polls are conducted within two-and-half years.

Although Shiv Sena is threatening to pull out of the alliance with the BJP and Pawar said he will not support the government, both parties are not prepared to fight mid-term polls as the BJP has been winning local polls across Maharashtra.

9. Asaduddin Owaisi

After winning an Assembly seat in south Mumbai in 2014, MIM is now focussing on Muslim pockets for BMC polls. The party is contesting in 62 wards out of total 227.

Uddhav calls Modi ‘Afzal Khan’ and after elections, he becomes ‘dulhe bhai’. He says this only for political posturing. Shiv Sena will never take a stand against the BJP.

Owaisi’s party is in a fight with the Samajwadi Party and the Congress for Muslim votes. After senior Owaisi left Mumbai for Uttar Pradesh, his brother Akbaruddin, infamous for making communal statements, has been attracting impressive crowds.