Archive · 10 Jan 2026
Mumbai Indigenous Groups Seek BMC Nominated Seats
In Mumbai, groups representing the city's original inhabitants are asking political parties to give them the five special seats in the city's government.
These groups, like the East Indian and Koli communities, want to have a say in how the city is run because they feel their land was used to build important things like the airport and the port.
They also want to make sure their villages, which are now surrounded by slums, are taken care of.
The government is thinking about adding more of these special seats to give more people a chance to be involved.
Indigenous groups in Mumbai are urging political parties to nominate their members to the five nominated seats in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
These groups, including the East Indian, Agri, Koli, Bhandari, Kunbi, and Pathare Prabhu, want representation to address issues affecting their communities, such as slum rehabilitation and recognition of their contributions to Mumbai's development.
There are over 100 gaothans and koliwadas in Mumbai, many of which have been engulfed by slums, and residents have opposed slum rehabilitation projects in these areas.
Political parties have historically nominated their own members to these posts, with the Shiv Sena, BJP, and Congress nominating corporators based on their seat strength.
There is a proposal to increase the number of nominated seats from five to ten, with a Bill tabled in 2023 to amend the BMC Act, 1888, and the Maharashtra Municipal Act, 1949.
- Who
- Indigenous communities of Mumbai, including East Indian, Agri, Koli, Bhandari, Kunbi, and Pathare Prabhu
- What
- Urging political parties to nominate their members to the five nominated seats in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)
- When
- Ongoing, with a recent appeal and a 2023 proposal to increase nominated seats
- Where
- Mumbai, specifically in areas with gaothans and koliwadas
- Why
- To have representatives in the municipal house and address issues affecting their communities, such as slum rehabilitation and recognition of their contributions to Mumbai's development
- Nominated Seats
- 5
- Indigenous Communities
- East Indian, Agri, Koli, Bhandari, Kunbi, Pathare Prabhu
- Gaothans and Koliwadas
- Over 100 in Mumbai
- Proposed Increase in Nominated Seats
- From 5 to 10
- BMC Act Amendment
- 2023
