Congress Will Make Comeback in Mumbai Civic Polls, says Azharuddin

Campaigning for Congress candidates, Azharuddin and Rajya Sabha member Imran Pratapgarhi led a roadshow in the Mumbadevi area of south Mumbai.

The former cricketer said the atmosphere looks favourable for the party to make a comeback. He said divisive issues along communal and community lines, including the wearing of the Hijab, have no place in democracy.

"Such issues don't even deserve a response," he told reporters. Pratapgarhi accused the BJP of going to any extent to win elections, saying the saffron party and Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM are contesting a "sham fight".

"The Congress is the only party that takes every section along. Mumbaikars understand the politics of hate," he added. Responding to statements by BJP leaders who claimed the next Mumbai mayor will be a Hindu and Maharashtrian, the Urdu poet-turned-politician said the new mayor will be a good human being who will work for the welfare of people.

The Congress is contesting 143 out of 227 seats in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, leaving the remaining constituencies to its allies Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, RSP, and RPI (Gavai). The voting for the high-stakes BMC polls will be held on January 15, and votes will be counted the following day.

In the 2017 elections, the BJP made giant strides in the Shiv Sena citadel of Mumbai, winning 82 seats, just two seats behind the estranged ally Shiv Sena (undivided).

The Congress was relegated to the third position with 31 seats, whereas the NCP (undivided) and Raj Thackeray's MNS were reduced to 9 and 7 seats, respectively.