‘Won’t allow any Khan to become Mumbai Mayor’: BJP leader Ameet Satam sparks row after Mamdani’s NYC
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Mumbai: A political controversy has erupted in Mumbai after city BJP chief and Andheri West MLA Ameet Satam declared that his party “will not allow any Khan to become mayor,” drawing parallels between New York City’s recent mayoral election and the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls.
Satam made the remarks on social media following the victory of Zohran Mamdani, the 34-year-old Indian-origin socialist who became New York City’s first South Asian and Muslim mayor.
Calling the trend “vote jihad,” Satam alleged that attempts were being made to bring to Mumbai “the same kind of politics” witnessed in New York. When asked to clarify, he said, “Some people are adopting the path of appeasement to maintain political power. It is necessary to protect Mumbai from such forces that have previously tried to divide society.”
The BJP leader added that while he supports religious harmony, his party would “oppose anyone who tries to divide society by adopting an anti-national stance.”
Satam’s remarks have come just months before the BMC election, where control over India’s richest civic body has long been shaped by local-versus-outsider narratives, a theme historically championed by the Shiv Sena and the MNS.
Political observers say Satam’s comments indicate the BJP may adopt a similar strategy this time. “We will always stand for the development and unity of Mumbai,” he said, adding that “Vande Mataram programmes are being organised across the city, and every citizen has the right to say this with pride. Any attempt to change the social and cultural identity of the city will not be acceptable.”
Zohran Mamdani, the son of Indian filmmaker Mira Nair and scholar Mahmood Mamdani, defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa. His victory is being hailed as a return to progressive politics focused on working-class issues such as free childcare, rent freeze, and public transport reforms, but has also sparked backlash among right-wing groups globally, including in India.
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Massive fire destroys 10 fishing boats in Kerala's Kollam
Kollam (Kerala) (PTI): Around 10 fishing boats, anchored in Ashtamudi Lake here, were gutted as a massive fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday, police said.
The incident happened in the Kureepuzha area under the Anchalumood police station limit.
According to police, the blaze was first spotted past midnight, and the boats anchored in a row caught fire.
Local people and fire force personnel pressed into action to check the further spread.
"As per the preliminary assessment, around 10 boats were destroyed completely. The exact cause is yet to be identified, but a gas cylinder blast is suspected," a police officer said.
No casualty has been reported so far, police added.
