Mumbai: Mumbai Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Ameet Bhaskar Satam on Thursday criticised alleged appearances of individuals with links to past bomb-blast accusations and the hoisting of Pakistani flags at some election rallies, and vowed to safeguard the city while taking a firm stance against those he said oppose Vande Mataram.
“We saw that the bomb blast accused campaigned in the election rallies of some people. Pakistani flags were hoisted in the election rallies of some people, and hence, while on the one hand, the city of Mumbai is moving forward on the path of development, on the other hand, it is our resolve to keep Mumbai safe, and we will fight those who oppose Vande Mataram,” Satam told reporters. He added, “We will not let any Khan become the Mayor of Mumbai.”
The comments come amid ongoing political mobilisation in the city, where issues of security and civic governance are shaping campaign rhetoric. Satam framed his remarks as a commitment to law and order and to protecting Mumbai’s development trajectory, while explicitly signalling opposition to candidates he portrayed as hostile to national symbols.
Observers say such statements are likely to resonate with some voters while drawing criticism from others for their communal overtones. Party supporters praised Satam’s emphasis on security and civic pride; critics may view the language as divisive.
