BJP claims 1.45 lakh volunteers for “future-building” vision ahead of Mumbai civic body elections

Ameet Satam, BJP Mumbai city president (in white), briefing the media on Thursday. Pic/X/@AmeetSatam

The BJP has begun positioning itself as an early mover for the upcoming BMC elections, claiming that 1.45 lakh citizens have agreed to volunteer for its "future-building" vision for Mumbai. The party, which has long aimed to gain full control of one of the richest civic bodies in Asia, has launched an extensive outreach campaign to understand ground-level expectations before drafting its BMC manifesto.

In consultation with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and leaders Ashish Shelar, Ravindra Chavan and Mumbai City President Ameet Satam, the party rolled out the "Awaaz Mumbaikarchana, Sankalp BJPcha" campaign. The drive received responses from nearly 2.65 lakh citizens, of whom 1.45 lakh expressed willingness to volunteer.

According to a statement from Satam's office, 53 per cent of respondents said they were dissatisfied with the quality of civic services. Mumbaikars identified roads, water supply, health, education, and housing and rehabilitation as the city's most pressing challenges. "People want immediate action on roads, potholes, garbage collection, nullah cleaning and effective flood mitigation," Satam said.

The last BMC elections were held in 2017. Although the five-year term ended in 2022, the next polls were delayed due to a reservation case in the Supreme Court. The apex court has now ordered that all pending local body elections in Maharashtra, including the BMC polls, be completed before January 31, 2026.

The BJP campaign drew responses across age groups. Two per cent were under 18, 25 per cent were between 18 and 30, and the majority - 65 per cent - came from citizens aged 30 to 60. Only 8 per cent of responses were from those above 60. A senior BJP leader confirmed that citizen inputs will be incorporated into the party's manifesto, along with its larger development vision for Mumbai.

‘Transformation'

As the state government completes a year in office on December 5. A three-day portrait exhibition titled ‘Transforming Mumbai, Transforming Maharashtra' - showcasing milestones of development under CM Devendra Fadnavis - will open at the World Trade Centre. The exhibition, featuring works by artist Bharat Singh, will be inaugurated by Mumbai BJP President Ameet Satam. Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, ministers Mangal Prabhat Lodha and Ashish Shelar will attend the event showcasing BJP's success.