BMC Polls: RO Seeks Affidavit After BJP’s Kirit Somaiya Flags Alleged False Declaration by Ex-Mayor Kishori Pednekar

Mumbai | Undercover Editor News Channel

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election process witnessed fresh controversy on Thursday after the Returning Officer (RO) asked BJP leader Kirit Somaiya to submit a sworn affidavit supporting his complaint against Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate and former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar.

Somaiya had earlier approached the RO alleging that Pednekar had furnished false information in her election affidavit, a charge that, if proven, could have serious legal and electoral implications. Acting on the complaint, the RO has now sought a formal affidavit from Somaiya to enable further examination and possible action under election laws.

In his submission, the BJP leader cited an FIR registered in connection with the alleged Covid-19 body bag scam, in which Pednekar was named, claiming that the details were not adequately disclosed in her nomination papers. He also referred to an alleged Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) related case, stating that voters have a right to full disclosure about candidates contesting civic elections.

“The election process must be transparent. Any suppression or misrepresentation of facts in affidavits undermines democracy,” Somaiya said, reiterating his demand for strict scrutiny of nomination documents.

Pednekar, a senior leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and a former mayor of Mumbai, has consistently denied all allegations in the past and has maintained that the cases mentioned are politically motivated. The party has also accused the BJP of misusing investigative and administrative processes to target opposition leaders ahead of the civic polls.

Election officials clarified that seeking an affidavit does not amount to a verdict on the complaint but is a procedural step required to assess the allegations before deciding the next course of action.

With the BMC elections approaching, the development adds to the growing political heat in Mumbai, where rival parties are locked in intense battles across wards. The matter is expected to be reviewed further once the affidavit is submitted, with the RO likely to decide whether the complaint merits legal proceedings or dismissal.