Mumbaikars seem to be connecting better with citizen candidates than the representatives of established parties.
If one goes by DNA’s ‘My Locality My Voice’ campaign rounds held so far, Mumbaikars seem to be connecting better with citizen candidates than the representatives of established parties.
Even as citizen candidates reach out to voters during their campaigns, residents are forging bonds with poll aspirants, who they feel belong to their lot. Besides, promoting administrative reforms like the Nagar Raj bill is helping citizens’ outfits such as the Lok Satta Party and Mumbai Nagrik Manch.
“The bill speaks about decentralizing power and involving people in local activities. This is what people want. They want their representative to be in touch with them. But unfortunately that doesn’t happen. That is why residents are responding to citizen candidates, who talk about public participation in administration,” said Jaypal Shetty, an F-North Ward Residents’ Federation member.
Shetty said that the politicians’ apathy towards being accountable is also costing them dearly, and the public is looking for alternatives. “For DNA’s campaign in Matunga, only two of 10 F-North ward councillors (including the mayor) were present. This shows how concerned politicians are about being answerable to the public,” he said.
Another resident, who preferred not to be named, said that the 50 percent ward reservation for women in the upcoming civic polls highlights politicos’ hunger for power, with several sitting corporators trying to bag tickets for their kin, if not for themselves.
“Now what wife or daughter of a corporator understands civic administration? This is quite frustrating. Our problem is we have to pick the worst amongst the worst. Citizen candidates provide an option to people who are fed up with the ruling section. How much of that converts into votes remains to be seen, though,” the resident added.
Ram Ramdas, spokesperson for the Lok Satta Party which plans to field 25-30 candidates, observed that people were tired of complaining about the same issues over the last two decades.
“They are aware now that keeping quiet won’t do them any good, and hence have started questioning politicians. This is where we come up as an option. We now hope the positive response transforms into votes,” he said.
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