With an aim to boost the chances of the Congress in the upcoming BMC elections, its Mumbai unit has reportedly suggested that the party should declare its mayoral candidate in advance. The Mumbai unit, in a draft strategic document, has recommended the names of Bollywood stars Sonu Sood, Ritesh Deshmukh, and Milind Soman for the mayor position. Interestingly, none of these stars are presently members of the Congress party.
The 25-page draft strategy document, prepared by Ganesh Yadav, says that the mayoral candidates should not have political baggage but rather have a personal connection with the youth of the city.
“In order to win the game of perception, we need correct posturing of the party. Currently, our stand is unclear and we are not seen opposing the current BMC dispensation of the Shiv Sena as we are in alliance at the state level. Our positions on issues need to be concrete so that we can communicate the same to people effectively. This has to be done immediately so that it can be seen in the decisions we take in the BMC. Currently, there is no Congress in the BMC house because of this confusion,” The Indian Express quoted from the report.
The strategy draft is yet to be officially presented to AICC Secretary in charge of Maharashtra H K Patil. The Mumbai Congress strategy committee comprises 25 members like Mumbai Congress chief Bhai Jagtap and other senior leaders including Ashok Chavan, Prithviraj Chavan and is headed by Maharashtra Congress Supremo Nana Patole. The draft suggest that the party should handpick a mayor before the polls, keeping in mind that the candidate has an appeal among the city’s youth.
ALSO READ | Demand to 'replace' Punjab CM gains momentum within Cong again
Congress is yet to decide whether it will go solo or form an alliance with Shiv Sena for the civic polls, which are due next year.
The Report Further said that, if Congress decides to fight elections on its own, it must declare candidates for 147 seats where there are no Congress corporators and locations where senior leaders' interests are unaffected quickly.
ALSO READ | Lockheed Martin gets $328.8 mn contract to support IAF's 12 Super Hercules aircraft
