In a significant political development ahead of the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, former corporator Changez Multani from Jogeshwari (West) formally joined the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) on Friday. This move is seen as a strategic push by the Sena (UBT) to strengthen its position and field strong Muslim candidates, especially after the Congress party decided to contest the civic polls independently.
A Shift in Allegiance After Congress Delays
Changez Multani, who was actively seeking a ticket from the Congress party, made the switch following prolonged speculation and uncertainty. According to sources close to the politician, he was considered a strong contender for a Congress nomination. However, the party's continued delay in finalizing its candidate list for the BMC polls prompted Multani to accept a firm offer from the Shiv Sena (UBT) camp.
Multani had been eyeing a Congress ticket, but the persistent indecision within the party led him to explore other options. His joining is expected to bolster the Sena (UBT)'s outreach in key Muslim-dominated areas of Mumbai, providing a counter-narrative in the complex political landscape of the city.
Political History and the Road to BMC Polls
Changez Multani is no stranger to Mumbai's civic political arena. His electoral journey has seen several twists and turns over the past decade and a half.
In the 2007 BMC elections, his sister, Syed Barjeena, emerged victorious from Ward number 53, representing the Samajwadi Party. Multani himself contested from a neighbouring seat but faced defeat. By the 2012 BMC polls, he fought as an independent candidate and secured a win, marking his entry as a corporator.
His most notable victory came in the 2017 BMC elections, where he won from Jogeshwari's Ward number 62. However, his tenure was cut short when he was disqualified after his caste certificate was declared invalid by the authorities.
The Next Generation and an Open Ward
With the upcoming elections, the focus has now shifted to Ward number 62, which has been declared an open ward. Senior party functionaries within the Shiv Sena (UBT) have indicated that Multani could potentially field his son, Zeeshan Multani, as the candidate from this constituency. This strategy aims to leverage the family's established political network and voter base in the area while introducing a fresh face to the electorate.
The decision by the Congress to go solo in the BMC polls has created a vacuum for influential Muslim leaders, which the Shiv Sena (UBT) is keen to fill. The induction of a seasoned local politician like Changez Multani is a clear step in that direction, signaling the party's intent to build a broad-based coalition ahead of the high-stakes civic battle.
The BMC elections are critical for all political parties as they determine control over India's richest municipal corporation. The entry of Changez Multani into the Shiv Sena (UBT) fold adds a new dynamic to the pre-poll calculations and could influence candidate selection and campaigning strategies in several key wards of Mumbai.
