31 December,2025 01:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Raju Shetti. Pic/X
The Swabhimani Party has announced its support for the candidates of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the forthcoming municipal corporation elections across Maharashtra, saying it is fighting against issues like inflation, unemployment and corruption, reported news agency PTI.
In a letter addressed to Congress leader in the legislative council, Satej Patil, Swabhimani Party leader and former MP Raju Shetti said the Maharashtra civic elections are being fought at a time when urban citizens face severe hardships due to rising prices, joblessness, alleged misgovernance and graft, reported PTI.
Shetti accused the ruling parties of indulging in corruption and arbitrary administration in the name of development, "resulting in distress among poor and common citizens", reported PTI.
The MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP), while the ruling alliance Mahayuti has the BJP, NCP and Shiv Sena as partners.
He said the MVA candidates are in the fray to raise their voice on public issues and protect the interests of urban residents. "In view of this, the Swabhimani Party has decided to extend its support to MVA candidates in municipal corporation elections across the state," the letter said, reported PTI.
Elections to 29 municipal corporations across the state will be held on January 15, and votes will be counted the next day.
Meanwhile, a total of 2,516 nominations were submitted for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, including 2,122 submitted on the last day of filing, officials said on Wednesday.
The elections to the BMC, which has 227 electoral wards, are scheduled to be held on January 15, and votes will be counted the next day. The nomination filing process began on December 23 and ended on December 30.
The scrutiny of nominations started at 11 am on Wednesday, while the deadline for withdrawing candidatures is till 3 pm on January 2.
Of the 2,516 nominations filed with 23 Returning Officers across the city, M-East ward, which covers areas like Govandi, Deonar, Chembur, Trombay, Mankhurd, and Anik, received the highest 183 nomination papers.
While a little over 400 nominations were received till December 29, the last day saw 2,122 candidates submitting their papers as parties were into seat-sharing negotiations till the last minute, civic officials said.
A total of 11,391 nomination forms (AB forms) were distributed till December 30, officials added.
(With inputs from PTI)
