Congress Accuses BJP of Targeting MLA Aslam Shaikh, Stirring Communal Tensions
Mumbai, Nov 22 (PTI) Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad on Saturday accused the BJP of trying to polarize voters on communal lines ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, and targeting MLA Aslam Shaikh to shield real estate interests.
Congress workers also staged a protest outside the office of Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam, and were detained by police. Addressing a press conference, Gaikwad claimed that Satam was “maligning and threatening” Shaikh to protect Maharashtra BJP minister and developer Mangal Prabhat Lodha.
Lodha had on Friday accused Congress MLA Shaikh of obstructing anti-encroachment drives and protecting illegal occupants in the Malvani area and requested the Mumbai police commissioner to take action. “Mumbai is not owned by the rich from the BJP,” Gaikwad said, levelling allegations against Lodha regarding his redevelopment projects.
Shaikh was the “voice of the poor in Malvani” and the originator of the “Malvani pattern” of communal harmony, she said. “In Malvani, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, and Buddhists live together peacefully,” Gaikwad added. She also accused the BJP of trying to trigger Hindu-Muslim tensions by raising issues of Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators while ignoring civic concerns.
“The BJP controls the BMC administration with the help of the municipal commissioner and is in power in the state as well. Yet, basic issues of Mumbai remain unresolved. Instead of addressing them, they are trying to divert attention through communal politics,” she said. Stating that Mumbaikars “see through the BJP's design,” Gaikwad expressed confidence that voters would reject such attempts and focus on real issues affecting the city.
The Congress has been vocal about the need to focus on civic issues such as infrastructure, cleanliness, and public services, rather than communal politics. The party's stance is supported by many residents who are more concerned with the day-to-day challenges of living in a bustling metropolis like Mumbai.
The tension between the BJP and Congress in Mumbai is not new, but the recent accusations highlight the increasing polarization in the city's political landscape. As the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections approach, both parties are likely to ramp up their efforts to sway public opinion, with the BJP focusing on communal issues and the Congress emphasizing governance and development.
The Malvani area, where MLA Aslam Shaikh has been active, is a microcosm of Mumbai's diverse communities. The area's residents, who include people from various religious and social backgrounds, have long appreciated the MLA's efforts to maintain communal harmony and address local concerns. The recent allegations against Shaikh and the subsequent protest highlight the sensitivity of the area and the potential for communal tensions to flare up.
As the political temperature in Mumbai continues to rise, it remains to be seen how the electorate will respond. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the BJP's strategy of communal polarization will succeed or whether the Congress's focus on governance and development will resonate more with the voters.
