‘Time citizens took Mumbai back from netas’

Mumbai 227 describes itself as a platform supporting Independent candidates for the BMC polls. The unique idea has created a buzz among citizens and parties. Mumbai 227 spokesperson Santosh Awatramani tells Amberish K
Diwanji of their experiences and plans. Excerpts of the interview:

Q: Realistically speaking how many of your candidates have a chance of winning?
A: We expect at least 12 of them to win. These are people who have picked up strong support in their wards and have factions of political parties backing them, such as Nilima Thakur, who is backed by the BJP and Congress faction and is not joining any party as reported earlier.

Q: Mumbai 227 has only 53 candidates from the earlier 84. What happened?
A: Many of the Independents who had planned to contest had to drop out for a variety of reasons. The most important is the lack of resources, something that all Independents have to struggle with. Then some came under family pressure and some under pressure from political parties and chose to back out.

Q: Do you think the fact that so many middle-class members are in the fray will invigorate the middle-class people to come out and vote?
A: We need to take a reality check here. The sad truth is that the middle-class doesn't seem to care. They are more interested in what Rahul Gandhi ate in UP than in their own city. I do wish the UP elections weren't being held at the same time; it just overshadows everything. I have met scores of middle-class people who don't even seem to know about the election.

Q: Coming back to Mumbai 227, do you think Independents on a platform will make a difference? Why not political party representaties?
A: I want to make a point here. Why are political parties involved in city elections? Till 1960, political parties did not even participate in the city polls. In 1960, the rules were changed to allow political parties to contest the city polls and no one will deny that Mumbai has been deteriorating since 1960.

Our corporators called 'nagar sevaks' (city servants) because they are here to serve the city. Nagar sevaks represent the people for basic amenities such as water, roads, electricity and sewerage.

Nagar sevaks get Rs25 lakh to spend on their wards. Are our politicians eyeing this Rs25 lakh, which is a small amount? Third, nagar sevaks are city’s watchdogs. They don't make rules, they are there to protect the public property and the city. At this level, our politicians should not even been involved. We in Mumbai 227 believe it is time the people took the city back from the politicians.

Q: Do you think others have caught on to your idea?
A: We have come to know that other cities too are forming such platforms. A Bhiwandi 97 is coming up and we have heard of similar plans from Chennai and Jaipur. Mumbai 227 is a unique idea, being tried out for the first time. I believe it is being discussed in classrooms at Kalina (where Mumbai University conducts its MA classes).

Q: What next after the polls?
A: Over the past few weeks, we have accumulated a huge amount of data about the city and its requirements. All these will be handy to activists who are working to improve the city. We will continue to work after the elections as activists and ensure a better city for all.