Samajwadi Party (SP) legislator Rais Shaikh has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging the government to hold elections for local bodies, including the BMC, before March 7, 2025. The letter also addresses Deputy CM and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde.
In his letter, Shaikh emphasised that the term of the BMC ended on March 7, 2022, and the current administrator is set to complete three years in office by March 7, 2025. He expressed concerns over the administration of the civic body, which is being run without elected representatives. Shaikh stated that the absence of elected officials is causing neglect of citizens' issues and leading to mismanagement of taxpayer money.
“It is not a matter of pride for democracy to run the country's financial capital for an extended period without elected representatives,” he said.
The SP legislator also highlighted the pending Rs8,000 crore in funds from the Central government under the 15th Finance Commission, which has been delayed due to the absence of a functioning municipal government. This delay, Shaikh argued, is depriving citizens of basic amenities.
Additionally, Shaikh called for the resolution of petitions pending in the Supreme Court regarding the ward structure of local bodies.
