AIMIM Arrival Increases Muslim representation in Mumbai Municipal Corporation: The 'Votes Will Split' Theory Demolished

It was repeatedly being said that AIMIM's entry would hurt Muslim representation as the community's votes would further be divided.

But, on the contrary, the representation of Muslims has gone up in a big way in Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the results of which have been announced.

There were 23 Muslim corporators in BMC in the last corporation. After AIMIM's entry, the figure has gone up to 28.

That's a sharp increase in Muslim presence in the corporation in India's biggest city.

Some news reports said that 31 Muslims won LINK. However, the figure seems to be 28, now. Muslim population in Mumbai is nearly 19%.

The representation was earlier 10%. Now, it has gone up to 12.3%. Surprisingly, even Shiv Sena's two Muslim candidates won the election.

Congress and NCP have fared badly. Yet, it is their Muslim candidates who had far better winning rate.

MIM could win just three seats though it performed much better in Amravati and Solapur civic bodies.

Clearly, the myth about split in votes that had kept Muslims worried for years, has been broken--at least in Mumbai.

In fact, the results again show that Congress and other parties were not giving adequate tickets to Muslims, and were unable to even shift their non-Muslim votes for Muslim candidates. 

What's behind Shiv Sena's attack on BJP, the poster war between parties: The upcoming Mumbai civic body elections

Shiv Sena has released a series of posters attacking the BJP.

Sena is known for sharp, blistering attacks no rivals, but these posters mock BJP and PM Narendra Modi.

Sena shares power in Maharashtra with the BJP. Still, it comes up with posters that target BJP for failing to take care of farmers.

The first poster is about BJP's election promises before it won Lok sabha election and the farmers' suicides, now. The second targets Sakshi Maharaj, the BJP MP, for forcing a girl to unbutton her jeans.

There are many more posters. Besides, there are Rupesh Patil's caricatures that term BJP government as 'suit-boot and loot ki sarkar' to calling Modi a 'traitor'.

Shiv Sena fighting for its survival in Maharashtra politics

But what's the reason behind the Sena's sharp attack? It's for survival. In the Assembly election, Sena didn't perform too well and BJP's vote share rose dramatically in Maharashtra.

This alarmed the Shiv Sena and though it later joined the BJP to form a government, ever since it has been attacking the BJP off and on. The Sena is worried that its bastion, would fall, as BJP and Shiv Sena have the same voter.

Besides, the most crucial--Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election is slated next year. If Shiv Sena fails to win Mumbai corporation [BMC], it will be a big jolt for Sena.

If Sena loses Mumbai civic polls, it would lose its influence in State politics

BMC has a huge budget--more than many state governments in India, and its the Shiv Sena's muscle power along with financial strength that it derives from the here, that helps it stay afloat in Maharashtra politics.

Hence, Shiv Sena can't afford to lose Mumbai. It can't allow itself to be a junior partner and cede even Mumbai, because, that would be the end of the Sena as a regional power. Once, it was big brother in Maharashtra, today BJP calls shots in the alliance.

No wonder, the Sena is desperate, attacking the BJP. The situation is such that 'snake', 'cat', 'dog' are being used by them to describe each other. The BMC election will take place in February 2017. The slugfest may turn even more bitter in coming months.

SEE all the posters at THIS LINK & at THIS LINK