Netas descend on Mumbai to woo migrant workers

Scores of sitting MLAs and ticket aspirants for assembly elections are currently holed up in Mumbai to lure voters hailing from their constituencies. There are lakhs of people who live and work in Mumbai, but are registered as voters in their native place.

These leaders from across various parties are organising rallies and group meetings in Mumbai and its extended suburbs. Vilas Kaka Patil Undalkar, a Congress legislator from South Karad, recently held a meeting of Mathadi workers in Navi Mumbai, appealing them to vote for him.

The metropolis has a sizeable population of Mathadi workers. Undalkar decided to contest independently after Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan staked claim on his seat.

Thane and Navi Mumbai has a large population of people hailing from Javli, Satara, Pune, Sangli and Kolhapur. Despite calling home to the city, they have not changed their voting address. During polls, they flock to their native places to vote.

"With multiple players in the fray, candidates are leaving no stone unturned to woo voters. In a competitive environment, even a small number of votes can make a big difference," said Nawab Malik, NCP spokesperson.

Shivajirao Adhalrao-Patil, Shiv Sena MP from Pune district said he visited Mumbai last week to meet naives of Junnar, Khed and Ambegaon. "We talk to them because we know these people for years. They religiously come to their native place to caste vote. For them, election is also an occasion to meet relatives. It connect them with their villages also."