With the Election Commission announcing the dates for the Maharashtra polls, the 36 constituencies in Mumbai have become the focal point of the strategies drawn by all political parties. The state votes on October 21 and the results will be out on October 24.
Insiders say the BJP and the Shiv Sena are aiming to win all the seats in Mumbai. And their plan is to breach the remaining strongholds of the Congress and the NCP in the city and suburbs.
The two parties are striving to win Chandivali, Malad (west), Dharavi, Wadala and Mumbadevi that are currently held by the Congress. They are also eyeing Byculla and Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar won last time by AIMIM and Samajwadi party respectively.
The ruling combine is buoyed by the fact the Modi wave swept all the six Lok Sabha seats – covering practically all 36 assembly constituencies – in May. The two parties are banking on their strong organisational network and a cadre energised by Centre’s landmark decisions, including Article 370 and Friday’s corporate tax rate cuts. This apart, the Sena, in alliance with the BJP, controls the BMC, which has an annual budget of Rs 30,693 crore.
After going solo last time, the BJP had outpaced Sena by winning 15 seats, while the latter bagged 14 seats in Mumbai. The Congress and NCP that had ruled the state between 1999 and 2014 were decimated, with the former winning 5 seats and the latter failing to open its account.
Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray’s media advisor Harshal Pradhan said the Sena and BJP together can win Congress and NCP strongholds, especially in areas dominated by Muslims, scheduled castes and other backward class. He said, “We will make all efforts to win Dharavi, Shivaji Nagar, Chandivali, and Mankhurd in addition to retaining the 14 seats bagged last time.”
On its part, the BJP plans to break the Congress monopoly in Mumbadevi, Malad (west) and Dharavi. It will also press all its machinery to wrest Byculla from AIMIM. Mumbai BJP general secretary (organisation) Sunil Karjatkar said, ‘’The implementation of multi-crore transport infrastructure projects and a slew of initiatives taken by our government to boost construction of affordable homes and good grip on law and order will be our main poll plank.’’
On the other hand, the Congress and NCP are struggling to keep together their flock of demoralised party workers after their crushing defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. On top of that, the two parties have seen large-scale defections to the BJP in the recent past, with the NCP being the worst hit.
Sanjay Nirupam, former president of Congress’ state unit, said they will focus on about 15 seats. The party plans to field former ministers, former and sitting legislators and veterans in these constituencies. “The BJP-led government’s mismanagement in infrastructure development, and the BMC’s neglect towards better amenities will be aggressively taken up during the campaign,” said Nirupam.
NCP legislator Vidya Chavan bad roads and delay in implementation of the Development are among their key poll issues. “NCP will contest all 7 seats from its quota.”
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