Mumbai: Rafiya Damudi, a native of Bhatkal in coastal Karnataka, is contesting the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections from Ward No. 209 (Mazgaon) on a Congress ticket. She is being considered a strong contender in the constituency, given her educational background and involvement in social service.
Elections to municipal corporations across Maharashtra, covering a total of 29 civic bodies, will be held simultaneously on January 15. Tuesday marked the last day of campaigning. To ensure smooth and peaceful polling, the state government has declared a public holiday on the polling day, Thursday.
The BMC elections are being held for all 227 wards, with nearly 1,700 candidates in the fray. According to the State Election Commission, polling for the civic elections will take place on January 15 from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm, while counting of votes and declaration of results are scheduled for January 16.
Ward No. 209 Mazgaon comprises areas such as Mazgaon, Byculla and Wadi Bunder, with an estimated electorate of around 40,000 voters. Political observers believe that consolidation of Muslim votes, along with support from a section of the Marathi-speaking electorate, could significantly improve Damudi’s prospects.
Sources said that Rafiya’s brother, Yaseer Damudi, who has long been associated with the Congress and has been actively involved in social work, was initially expected to be the party’s candidate from the ward. However, following the Election Commission’s decision to reserve the ward for women candidates, the Congress leadership fielded Rafiya Damudi, taking into account her educational qualifications, public image and social contributions.
Rafiya Damudi is facing competition from Yamini Yashwant Jadhav of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Seema Imran Mulla of the Samajwadi Party, Harshala Survey of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Sneha Bhosale of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Born in Mumbai, Rafiya Damudi is the daughter of Abdul Rashid Damudi and hails from Navayath Colony in Bhatkal. She completed her schooling and graduation in Mumbai and is known among residents as a teacher. Her brother Yaseer Damudi, who enjoys goodwill among the local population, is actively supporting her election campaign and is also an active member of the Bhatkal Muslim Jamaat, Mumbai.
Recently, office-bearers of the Bhatkal Muslim Jamaat, Mumbai, visited the Congress office in Mazgaon and met Rafiya Damudi and his brother Yaseer Damudi to extend their best wishes. Those present included Vice President Riyaz Jakti, General Secretary Hanzala Karikal, Deputy Secretary Abdussalam Damudi, Treasurer Qamaruzzaman Motia, along with Ameen, Awwab and other members. Jamaat President Umar Khalifa and Chief Accountant Fasih Patel (CA) also conveyed their greetings and best wishes to Rafiya Damudi and her brother.