The Times of India

BMC elections see candidate proliferation in slum clusters; 18 wards see 15+ contenders, vote split may favour bigger parties

Mumbai's BMC elections are seeing a surge in candidates, particularly in areas with homogeneous voter bases like slum clusters, Dalit, and Muslim pockets. This proliferation, with 18 wards having 15+ candidates, intensifies competition and often benefits larger parties, as analysts suggest it can fragment votes and provide recognition for aspiring candidates.