In a significant shift for urban governance, the welfare of pets has catapulted to the forefront of campaign promises in the ongoing Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Candidates across major political parties are now actively courting the city's growing community of pet owners by pledging to develop dedicated infrastructure for animals.
Parties Pledge Pet-Centric Infrastructure
The trend was notably set by the Shiv Sena (UBT), which featured comprehensive animal welfare measures in its official manifesto. The party promised to build more pet parks, pet clinics, pet ambulances, and pet crematoriums across Mumbai. This move has prompted a competitive response from other parties.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Ward 226, Makarand Narwekar, has made similar commitments. On Monday, at an event titled ‘Dog Walks & Neighbourhood Talks’ organized by the Oval Cooperage Residents Association (OCRA) at Oval Maidan, Narwekar promised to formulate a comprehensive pet policy for the city.
"After getting elected, formulating a comprehensive pet policy will be one of my top priorities," Narwekar stated. He announced pilot initiatives for Colaba, including water podiums and feeding stations for both pets and stray animals, with plans to expand them city-wide upon success.
Pet Parents Make Their Demands Heard
The political focus on pets is a direct response to a mobilized constituency. Pet owners, often referred to as 'pet parents,' are increasingly vocal about the lack of facilities in the megacity. During campaign interactions, residents have highlighted the acute shortage of basic amenities like dustbins, water points, and feeding stations in public spaces.
They have also demanded designated pet zones within BMC gardens and the establishment of a local pet crematorium. The OCRA event, which saw participation from local residents and special guests like comedian-podcaster Cyrus Broacha and food writer-actor Kunal Vijaykar, underscored this community's push for better urban pet welfare.
Ankit Prabhu, the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate from Ward 54, acknowledged this shift, stating, "Pet-related issues are a serious election issue among pet parents. Pet parents are a growing community who want facilities like pet parks and pet clinics. So we are working on these issues, and we will fulfil our promises."
A Holistic Vision for a Pet-Friendly Metropolis
The promises extend beyond isolated facilities to a broader vision for city planning. Narwekar termed his interaction with residents as "very engaging," noting that there were "constructive suggestions which can be worked upon." The aim is to systematically integrate pet needs into Mumbai's urban fabric.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray defended his party's manifesto as a practical document. "Our manifesto is holistic and covers all aspects of Mumbai. Just like Mumbai, our manifesto is also diverse," Thackeray told TOI. He emphasized that it was a "well-thought-out list of real promises that can be delivered" and is "in tune with Mumbaikar's aspirations."
This election cycle marks a pivotal moment where the needs of non-human residents are being formally recognized in the political discourse, signaling a move towards more inclusive and pet-friendly urban policy in India's financial capital.
