Citizen groups want you to fund their candidates

Citizen groups with candidates contesting the upcoming civic polls are looking at Mumbaiites to assist them with finances for campaigning. Mumbai 227, one such citizens’ forum with 58 candidates, launched the ‘Adopt a Corporator’ programme on Saturday.

Citizen groups with candidates contesting the upcoming civic polls are looking at Mumbaiites to assist them with finances for campaigning. Mumbai 227, one such citizens’ forum with 58 candidates, launched the ‘Adopt a Corporator’ programme on Saturday.

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The group is hoping to collect money from the electorate in each ward. “Campaigning expenses would include hiring vehicles, printing and distribution of brochures, providing refreshments for volunteers, etc,” said Santosh Awatramani, member of Mumbai 227.

The forum will ensure transparency by giving out receipts to contributors and will put up their names on the Mumbai 227 website.

Mumbai Nagriksatta, a forum launched by Mumbai’s first citizen corporator, Adolf D’souza, has fielded eight candidates and is relying on contributions from the public to make their campaign a success. “We have opened separate bank accounts for campaign finances and have appealed to every household in our respective wards to contribute an amount of Rs100,” said D’souza.