Amid criticism over dynastic politics, three relatives of BJP leader Rahul Narwekar are pitching their individual records and civic work as they contest the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, with the Assembly Speaker part of their campaign. Brother Makarand Narwekar, the richest candidate in the city, and sister-in-law Harshita Narwekar, both of whom have previously been councillors, are trying to bring focus to their experience in the civic body, while first-timer cousin Gauravi Shivalkar Narwekar’s outreach is towards speaking of local issues but the shadow of the most famous politician in the family looms large.
Harshita, who was on a door-to-door campaign on Tuesday, said that having worked as a councillor in the past helps her shed the dynasty tag. “I have been given a ticket based on my past work. I want to continue with the work I have been doing as a corporator and it will align to have our party in the Centre, state and the BMC,” Harshita says.
Since her change of seat was announced only recently, Harshita says that she may have got less time to campaign, but she is aware of the local issues of the new ward she is contesting from, since Narwekar has been an MLA there.
Harshita is contesting against state alliance partner Shiv Sena’s Sujata Sanap, the sitting corporator of the ward before the term ended in 2022.
“The decision on the change in my candidature seat was quite sudden but since Rahulji is working here as an MLA and has a footprint in every corner, I am aware of the local issues here including management of waste, redevelopment of dilapidated buildings and the past work with citizens will help,” Harshita said.
Harshita says that they do draw from each others’ experience in the area and Narwekar has been part of the campaign doing sabhas, while the three have focused on a more personal touch through door to door campaigns.
At the beginning of the campaign, Narwekar, the MLA from Colaba, which includes wards 225, 226 and 227, being contested by Harshita, Makarand and Gauravi respectively, faced allegations of interference with eight aspiring candidates having approached the Bombay High Court of forcing the Returning Officer (RO) and police to not accept their nomination forms for wards part of his constituency. Narwekar has denied the allegations calling them “politically motivated”, a stand maintained by all three candidates too.
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The three also face competition from independents in the fray fighting the “dynasty”.
The BJP has denied that it has favoured any dynasty, stating that those already with experience as councillors were given tickets based on their work.
Senior leaders have claimed that they were not aware of Gauravi’s connection with Narwekar till she was already given the ticket.
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