Navi Mumbai: The BJP and the NCP have alleged that the draft ward formation exercise for the upcoming Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) general election is designed to benefit a particular political party by disregarding established rules and criteria. Former Thane member of Parliament Sanjeev Naik of the BJP and Namdev Bhagat of the NCP stated that the ward divisions, which include wards, villages and nodes, have led to confusion among politicians and residents. They have demanded a revision of the ward formation.Along with Sanjeev Naik and Namdev Bhagat, former mayor Sagar Naik, former leader of opposition Dashrath Bhagat, former standing committee chairman Anant Sutar, former house leader Ravindra Ithape, former standing committee chairman Navin Gavte, and former BJP district president Ramchandra Gharat submitted objections and suggestions to the municipal corporation. They demanded that the ward formation be revised in accordance with the rules. Sanjeev Naik alleged that the criteria established by the Election Commission were ignored to create ward divisions that disadvantage the BJP while ensuring the safety and benefit of corporators from a particular party. He added that the criteria of population and geographical boundaries were neglected. Naik claimed that the NMMC and urban development department (UDD), headed by deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, arranged the ward formation to favour a specific party.Sagar Naik stated that the BJP conducted a detailed and technical study of the draft ward formation and has presented a fair ward formation in line with the rules. He highlighted the concept of gerrymandering, stating that such ward formations were deliberately made to benefit a particular party. Naik criticised the competence of those responsible for the ward formation and warned that if the defective ward formation was not changed, the matter would be taken to court.Meanwhile, Sanjeev Naik demanded that since the panel system is being implemented for the first time in Navi Mumbai, the ward formation should be transparent and impartial. He said, “We are going to lodge a complaint with the Election Commission and high court thereafter.” Namdev Bhagat, Navi Mumbai chief of NCP, said, “Wards are wrongly drawn without considering the reality of the city.” NMMC commissioner Kailas Shinde said everything was taken into consideration before preparing the ward formation.
