Mumbai will reject BJP's religious politics, voters will focus on core civic issues, says Gaikwad

Mumbai, Dec 20 (PTI) Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad on Saturday said the BJP's "religious politics and double standards" would be rejected by the voters of the metropolis who will focus on core civic issues.

Polls to 29 municipal corporations, including Mumbai, will take place on January 15, while votes will be counted on the next day.

"Whenever elections come, the BJP starts playing religious politics," Gaikwad said in a statement.

She said while BJP's Mumbai unit chief Ameet Satam claims NCP's Nawab Malik is unacceptable, the Ajit Pawar-led party's state president Sunil Tatkare holds discussions with senior BJP leader Ashish Shelar.

"The BJP says Nawab Malik is unwanted, yet his (MLA) daughter Sana Malik votes in favour of the BJP government. This clearly exposes the party's double standards," she said.

Gaikwad said the BJP's approach of seeking to remain in power, enjoying its benefits, and resorting to religious politics during elections is evident to the people of Mumbai.

"Mumbaikars will not be misled by this. They will vote on real civic issues such as roads, traffic congestion, clean drinking water and air quality," the Lok Sabha MP added. PTI MR BNM