Citizens’ candidate goes his own way

MUMBAI: Dissension in political parties has been the norm in the run-up to the BMC election. But, in a first, an independent candidate has chosen to disassociate himself from a citizens’ platform whose support he had received.
Floyd D’souza, whose nomination from ward number 84 in Kalina was endorsed by Mumbai 227 (the largest citizen candidates’ forum for the civic poll), told TOI on Sunday that he has distanced himself from the forum.D’souza ascribed the turnaround to "loss of faith" in the forum.
A developer and a fitness centre owner, D’souza is disappointed that another independent citizens’ candidate, Cynthia Fernandez—whose candidature from neighbouring ward number 83 was also endorsed by the Mumbai 227—opted to join the Lok Satta Party and contest from ward number 84. "This only hurts the chances of a citizens’ candidate victory," D’souza said.
According to Mumbai 227 functionaries, D’souza was one of the 16 "ace candidates" endorsed by the platform who have a fair chance of winning. The forum has supported 53 independents in all. D’souza had gone through the entire selection process of Mumbai 227, including interviews and background checks, before his candidature was backed.
While D’souza maintained that he had informed Mumbai 227 of his decision, the forum’s spokesperson Santosh Awatramani said he was unaware of the development. Awatramani said the platform will continue to support D’souza since he is a "good candidate". "Our main purpose was to provide a platform for good independent candidates. We will continue to support his candidature and be there for him whenever required."
Local observers pointed out that a political party had applied pressure to get D’souza to withdraw his nomination. The Congress won the seat in the 2007 poll. With more than two strong candidates, the seat is expected to be a close fight.