“Family First” Politics Dominates BMC Polls as Over 40 Leaders Field Relatives Across Mumbai

Mumbai: With the nomination process for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections closing on January 15, Mumbai’s civic battle has revealed a sharp rise in what many political observers are calling “family-first politics.” Across major parties, at least 43 senior leaders have secured BMC tickets for their close relatives, making dynastic influence one of the most striking features of this election.

Leaders from the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), Congress, and Shiv Sena (UBT) have fielded sons, daughters, spouses, siblings, and extended family members, often in multiple wards, triggering fresh debate over merit and internal democracy in India’s richest municipal body.

Shiv Sena (Shinde faction): Family Strongholds Expand

• Deepti Waikar, daughter of MP Ravindra Waikar, is contesting from Ward 73 (Andheri East).
• Shaila Lande, wife of MLA Dilip Lande, has been fielded from Ward 163.
• Rupesh Patil, son of Bhandup MLA Ashok Patil, is contesting from Ward 113.
• Senior leader and MLA Sada Sarvankar has secured tickets for son Samadhan Sarvankar (Ward 194) and daughter Priya Sarvankar (Ward 191).

BJP: Multiple Tickets for Political Families

• Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar’s family has received three tickets:
  • Makrand Narvekar (brother) from Ward 226
  • Harshita Narvekar (sister-in-law) from Ward 227
  • Dr Gauravi Shiwalkar (cousin) also from Ward 227
• Neel Somaiya, son of former MP Kirit Somaiya, has already been elected unopposed from Ward 107 (Mulund).
• Prakash Darekar, brother of BJP leader Pravin Darekar, is contesting from Ward 3.
• A close relative of BJP Mumbai president Amit Satam is in the fray from Ward 68.

Congress: Family Networks Across Wards

• Aslam Shaikh, Malad MLA, has secured tickets for:
  • Son Haider Shaikh (Ward 34)
  • Sister Qamar Jahan Siddiqui (Ward 33)
  • Son-in-law Saif Ahmed Khan (Ward 62, Andheri West)
• Former minister Arif Naseem Khan’s son Aamir Khan is contesting from Ward 162 (Kurla).
• Mohsin Haidar’s son Sufiyan Haidar (Ward 65) and wife Meher Haidar (Ward 66) are both candidates.
• Former MP Chandrakant Handore’s daughter Pragyoti Handore has been fielded from Ward 140.

Shiv Sena (UBT): Legacy Candidates Enter the Race

• MLA Sanjay Dina Patil’s daughter Rajul Patil is contesting from Ward 114.
• Former minister Sunil Prabhu’s son Ankit Prabhu is in the fray from Ward 54.
• MLA Manoj Jamsutkar’s wife Sonam Jamsutkar has received a ticket from Ward 210.

Dynasty Debate Intensifies

Despite the BJP’s long-standing public stand against dynastic politics, the party’s own ticket distribution has drawn scrutiny. While relatives of leaders like Rahul Narvekar received nominations, tickets were denied to family members of other senior leaders, including relatives of Ashish Shelar, Manisha Chaudhary, Vidya Thakur, Rajhans Singh, and Vijay Girkar.

As campaigning picks up pace, family-based candidacies have emerged as a defining issue of the BMC elections, raising questions about transparency, opportunity for grassroots workers, and the future direction of Mumbai’s civic governance.