Mumbai’s fiercely contested Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections have taken a politically charged turn with BJP candidate Makarand Narwekar—brother of Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar—emerging as one of the wealthiest contenders in the civic polls. 

Seeking a third term from ward number 226 on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket, Makarand Narwekar has declared assets worth Rs 124.4 crore, potentially making him the richest candidate in the BMC elections.

Also Read

placeholder

‘Brainless people’: Actress alleges poll campaign crackers caused Bandra fire

placeholder

Uddhav and Raj Thackeray unveil joint ‘Vachan Nama’ manifesto for BMC elections 2026

placeholder

Fire breaks out in 18-storey residential building in Mumbai’s Andheri

According to his affidavit filed with the Election Commission, his assets—clubbed with those of his wife—have surged by a staggering 1,868 per cent over the past nine years.

In comparison, other high-net-worth candidates trail behind. Samadhan Sarvankar, son of former Shiv Sena MLA Sada Sarvankar, has declared assets worth Rs 46.59 crore, while Shraddha Jadhav, the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate and former Mumbai mayor, has disclosed assets of Rs 46.34 crore.

Narwekar, 47, who lists his profession as an advocate, has Rs 32.14 crore in movable assets and Rs 92.32 crore in immovable assets, along with liabilities amounting to Rs 16.68 crore. His affidavit also reveals that he is owed over Rs 30 crore by family members, individuals, and agencies.

A major contributor to his wealth is land. Between October 2022 and November 2025, Narwekar purchased 27 agricultural land parcels in Alibaug, a fast-developing coastal belt in Raigad district popular among celebrities and industrialists.

The farmland owned by him is currently valued at Rs 89.91 crore, while two parcels owned by his wife are worth Rs 2.41 crore. He also owns a luxury flat in south Mumbai’s Colaba valued at Rs 7.99 crore.

Political tempers have flared alongside these disclosures. Opposition parties have accused Speaker Rahul Narwekar of interfering in the BMC nomination process and tampering with CCTV footage—charges he has dismissed as baseless and politically motivated.

Adding to the drama, Tejal Pawar, the sole candidate contesting against Makarand Narwekar in ward 226, has alleged pressure to withdraw from the race.

An independent backed by Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Pawar’s claims have further intensified the political heat around one of Mumbai’s most-watched civic battles.