BMC Polls 2026: As Mumbai heads towards the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, affidavits filed by candidates reveal a sharp contrast
between the city’s wealthiest contenders and those with modest means. Among the richest candidates is BJP’s Makrand Narwekar, brother of Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar. The 47-year-old, a two-time corporator and practising advocate, has declared assets worth Rs 124 crore, according to a media report. His wealth has grown sharply over the years, from Rs 3.67 crore in 2012 to Rs 6.32 crore in 2017. Narwekar’s affidavit shows that he purchased 27 land parcels in Alibaug between October 2022 and November 2025. He said the value of these properties rose significantly due to major infrastructure projects such as the Atal Setu and the RoRo ferry service. “Everything is declared in my affidavit. This is a live example of India shining,” he told The Times of India.
Other Rich Candidates
Overall, about 35 per cent of candidates contesting the BMC polls are crorepatis, highlighting the growing role of wealth in civic politics.
Narwekar’s sister-in-law, Harshita Narwekar, contesting from Ward 225, has declared assets worth Rs 63.62 crore, a steep rise from Rs 10.74 crore in 2017. Close behind is Sana Abbas Qureshi, who has declared Rs 60.3 crore in assets while contesting from Kalina on a Samajwadi Party ticket.
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Qureshi said this is her first election and that local problems pushed her into politics. “My family runs schools, but I realised that if you want change, you have to be part of the system,” she said. She pointed to poor sanitation, broken toilets and inadequate public facilities as everyday issues in her area.
Another candidate drawing attention is Samadhan Sarvankar, son of former MLA Sada Sarvankar. Seeking a second term as corporator, he has declared assets worth Rs 46.59 crore, up from Rs 9.43 crore in 2017, with most of it listed as immovable property. His sister, Priya Sarvankar, contesting from Dadar Shivaji Park, has declared Rs 12.16 crore in assets, the media report added.
Former Shiv Sena mayor Shraddha Jadhav, who served from 2009 to 2012, has declared assets worth Rs 46.34 crore.
Candidates With Fewer Assets
At the other end of the spectrum are candidates with far fewer resources. Ashok Gupta, an independent candidate from Bandra and a pan vendor by profession, has declared assets worth Rs 1.6 crore. Gupta said he worked for years with Sharad Pawar’s party but did not get a ticket. His assets include an SRA house, savings and his wife’s jewellery. “I want to work to make Mumbai a better city,” he said.
Then there are candidates like Khandu Nana Khandekar, a rickshaw driver from Mankhurd–Govandi, who has declared minimal assets. Speaking about political humility, he said, “Auto drivers go door-to-door touching people’s feet during elections. After winning, many behave like kings. I will never be like that. That is why people will vote for me.”
The affidavits underline a striking reality of the BMC polls, while Mumbai’s civic body governs everyday services for millions, the race includes both multi-crore candidates and ordinary citizens hoping to bring change from the ground up.
