Mumbai’s civic elections have stirred fresh political debate in Maharashtra, with the BJP facing questions over its stated stand against dynastic politics. The party had earlier announced that relatives of ministers, MPs, and MLAs would not be given tickets for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. However, in South Mumbai, the BJP has fielded three members of Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar’s family, triggering widespread discussion.
The BJP has nominated Rahul Narvekar’s brother, Makrand Narvekar, a former corporator from the Colaba area, from Ward No. 226. Makrand Narvekar’s wife, Harshita, is contesting from Ward No. 227, while Rahul Narvekar’s cousin sister, Gauravi, has been given a ticket from Ward No. 225. Rahul Narvekar himself is the MLA from Colaba and is currently serving his second consecutive term as Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
Ahead of the elections, the BJP had indicated that it would not allot tickets to the children or spouses of sitting MLAs and MPs, positioning the move as an effort to break dynastic politics and promote grassroots leadership. However, the decision to field three members of the Narvekar family has led to criticism and raised questions about whether the party’s policy is being applied selectively.
Responding to the controversy, Rahul Narvekar defended the candidature of his family members. He said, “The candidates who have received tickets are not parachuted in. They have worked among the people for the last 10 to 15 years. The people have accepted them, and that is why they have been given tickets.”
All three candidates filed their nomination papers in the presence of the Assembly Speaker. Meanwhile, according to sources, allegations have emerged against Rahul Narvekar claiming that on the final day of filing nominations for the BMC elections, he threatened rival candidates and prevented them from submitting their nomination forms.
Reacting sharply to these allegations, Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) MP, Sanjay Raut said such actions were unbecoming of someone holding a constitutional post like the Assembly Speaker. “This is not an allegation; it is the truth. Rahul Narvekar seems to have forgotten that he is the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. He is considered a student of rules, the Constitution, and the law. Ideally, he should not participate in political programmes and should remain neutral. But I saw him wearing a BJP scarf and accompanying candidates from his own family to file their nomination papers. That means he took part in a political party event,” said Raut.
Sanjay Raut further alleged that the Assembly Speaker was misusing his authority by threatening opposition candidates and exerting pressure on the administration. He said such open political involvement by a sitting Speaker was something he had never witnessed before and raised serious concerns about the state of democracy in Maharashtra.
