Mumbai Civic Polls: War of words between Nitesh Rane and Waris Pathan over mayor post

Political rhetoric has intensified ahead of the upcoming mayoral and Municipal Corporation elections in Mumbai, following a war of words between BJP leader and Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane and AIMIM national spokesperson Waris Pathan.The exchange began after Pathan questioned why candidates from Muslim communities could not aspire to the mayor’s post, asserting that India’s democracy allows equal political representation for all citizens. Responding to the remarks, Rane said Mumbai’s political ethos is rooted in Hindutva and made sharp comments linking the issue to Pakistan.Reacting strongly, Pathan rejected the remarks and said he was born in India and would die in India, asserting that no one had the authority to question his nationality.The exchange comes as campaigning intensifies ahead of high-stakes local body elections in Maharashtra