Mumbai, January 6 (HS): BJP candidate is receiving unexpected support from Muslim residents in Ward 10D of Rabodi, a Muslim-majority area in Thane city, and the lotus is set to bloom there for the first time, Thane MLA Sanjay Kelkar said on Monday. He also expressed confidence that two other BJP-backed candidates from the same ward would be elected.

Kelkar further said that in Ward 2 of the Ghodbunder area, all four BJP candidates would win with a clear majority.

Rallies and public meetings are being held across Thane under the leadership of MLA Sanjay Kelkar. The rallies and meetings held on Monday in Ward 2 and Ward 10 received strong public response. In Ward 10, BJP candidates Dilip Kankale, Vinay Bhoir and Jameer Jalil Siddiqui (Farhan), along with Shiv Sena candidate Geeta Vaity, are in the fray. Addressing campaign meetings, Kelkar appealed to voters to ensure a decisive victory for BJP candidates.

Speaking in Ward 10, Jameer Jalil Siddiqui (Farhan) said that under the leadership of MLA Kelkar, several public issues were resolved and camps were organised to ensure that government schemes reached the people. He said these efforts have increased public support for BJP candidates in the area. Addressing residents, Kelkar said he does not engage in religious politics and is focused on resolving people’s problems, urging them to support him for development. Expressing confidence, he said that given the strong support and a united candidature, the BJP would register its first-ever win in the Muslim-majority ward. He also asserted that BJP candidates Dilip Kankale and Vinay Bhoir, along with Shiv Sena candidate Geeta Vaity, would secure victory with a majority.

Later in the day, MLA Kelkar participated in a campaign rally in Ward 2 of the Ghodbunder area for BJP candidates Vikas Patil, Archana Manera, Manohar Dumbare and Kamal Chaudhary. Kelkar said he has consistently worked to resolve several local issues in the ward and maintained continuous contact with residents, which has resulted in growing public support for the candidates.

Meanwhile, well-known leader from Thane East Kopri and former transport committee member Nitin Patil joined the BJP along with his supporters under the leadership of MLA Sanjay Kelkar. Several senior leaders, office-bearers and party workers were present on the occasion.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar