Family Ticket Row Triggers BJP Internal Crisis Before BMC Elections.

BJP Faces Major Internal Revolt Over Family Ticket Demands for Mumbai Civic Polls

Senior journalist Unmesh Gujarathi has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, formally protesting the rampant nepotism in BJP’s Mumbai ticket distribution. His letter highlights widespread demands for family tickets, warning it betrays party workers and core ideological principles.

Ahead of the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the BJP is grappling with an unprecedented internal crisis. A detailed list reveals nearly 60 specific demands for tickets from leaders seeking to field their own family members. This widespread nepotism has sparked fierce backlash from the party’s grassroots cadre, who feel betrayed and sidelined. The controversy threatens to undermine the party’s worker-centric image and electoral strategy.

A Comprehensive List of Family Ticket Demands

The scale of nepotistic demands is extensive, implicating leaders across Mumbai’s political geography. These requests highlight a systemic push for family privilege over worker merit.

In the northern mumbai suburbs, Manisha Choudhry (Dahisar MLA) wants a ticket for her daughter Ankita. Vidya Thakur (Goregaon MLA) seeks renomination for her son Deepak. Bhargav Patel is pushing for his son Harsh, while Bhai Girkar advocates for his daughter-in-law Pratibha.

From the western regions, Rahul Narvekar has asked for three tickets. These are for his sister-in-law Harshita, brother Makrand, and cousin Suresh. Ashish Shelar and Parag Alvani are both seeking tickets for their heir respective brother and wife

Key Demands in Central Mumbai and South Mumbai

south central mumbai faces its own set of familial pressures. Mumbai BJP General Secretary Rajesh Sirwadkar, an outsider in Sion, is heavily backed for his wife Rajashree by godfather Atul Bhatkalkar. This is opposed by Capt. Tamil Selvan in the same ward due to sabotaging and anti party activities done during his mla elections .Even Prasad Lad mlc is opposed to giving her ticket

Mani Balan (Mumbai Secretary) wants a ticket for his wife Swapna. Senior leader Jeeghar L. Karani is demanding one for his wife Priya. Raghunath Kulkarni, former Maharashtra Organisational General Secretary, seeks a ticket for his daughter Sayali in Ward 60.

In the north west mumbai , Yogesh Dhabhalkar is pushing for his wife Sarita. Amar Upadhyay is seeking a ticket for his wife Hetal , a demand reportedly backed by former Union Minister Smriti Irani.

Further Demands and the Leadership’s Own Requests

The list extends to numerous other influential figures. Adv. Gyanmurti Sharma (District President) is advocating for his sister Akruti. Pravin Dharekar wants a ticket for his brother Prakash, which would deny one to Mumbai General Secretary Ganesh Khankar.

Jyoti Jobanputra, a former corporator, seeks a ticket for her daughter-in-law Hettal. In the same ward, Kishore Wagh is pushing for his daughter Dhanashree.

Notably, Mumbai BJP President Ameet Satam has three family requests. These are for his brother-in-law Rohan Rathod, brother Sameer Satam, and wife’s aunt Sudha Singh.

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Established Leaders and Serious Allegations

The trend includes very senior leaders. Suresh Gambhir, former Mahim MLA, wants tickets for his daughters Sheetal and Shamal, and son-in-law Jatin. This denies tickets to senior leaders Senior BJP leader Adv. Ghanshyam Mulani ,Rammohan Shetty ,Nitin Belnekar ,Maharastra bjp spokesperson Vasantrao Jadhav,Prashant Tawde, & Sunny sathe

Vilas Ambekar, former South central District General Secretary, seeks a ticket for his wife Jyoti. Vivek Bhatkar is pushing for his wife Vaibhavi ticket where she lost badly to deny ticket to mumbai bjp secratary Jitendra Raut ,Fmr mahim vidhan sabha president Jayant nate & sr party leader Ashok sharma Fmr dadar president

A particularly serious allegation involves Kripa Shanker Singh, former Home Minister and Maharashtra BJP Vice President. He is seeking a ticket for his grandson Shivam Singh, despite unresolved cases against bjp karkyakaras as old as 20 yrs plus done on his orders in vindictive manner .There are 10 such cases personally put on kripashanker singh order which are not been removed by Devendra Fadnavais goverment

Grassroots Backlash and Ideological Criticism

This orchestrated “family first” approach has caused deep resentment. Loyal karyakartas accuse the leadership of exploiting their labour while giving “cream” posts to relatives and outsiders.

Workers argue that these new entrants have no connection to BJP’s core ideology. They claim such individuals joined solely for power, harming the party’s foundational principles. There is a growing fear that this nepotism will morph the BJP into the very Congress it criticises.

Electoral Implications and Historical Precedent

With demands in nearly 60 out of 120 seats, the party’s candidate selection is dominated by nepotism. This crisis mirrors previous BMC elections where family tickets were common. The current revolt suggests a potential erosion of the party’s dedicated voter base and worker strength.

The final ticket distribution will test the leadership’s resolve. It must balance powerful incumbents against the morale of its core volunteers. How the BJP manages this conflict will significantly impact its fortunes in India’s richest municipal corporation election.

BJP Accused of Hypocrisy on Nepotism

Noted writer-director Ritesh Pandey criticizes the BJP’s practice of ‘parivarvad,’ citing the Mumbai municipal elections where loyal workers were denied tickets in favor of family members. He warns that this hypocrisy, importing corrupt outsiders for electoral gain while ignoring ideology, risks turning the BJP into another Congress.