A second wave of anti-incumbency among voters may sweep BJP MP from Mumbai's northeast Lok Sabha Constituency, Kirit Somaiya away in the fast-approaching Lok Sabha elections in the country.
In the 2014 LS polls, Somaiya had defeated his nearest political opponent, Sanjay Dina Patil from NCP by 3.17 lakh votes. However, in 2019, according to BJP's internal survey, 11 sitting members of parliaments (MPs) from Maharashtra are in danger, and Somaiya is one of them. BJP corridors are abuzz with the rumour that in a bid to prevent anti-incumbency, Somaiya may not be fielded again.
Vinod Shinde, a social activist from the constituency said that big-ticket projects in the area have not materialised. “People voted the BJP in the Centre, and in the state polls in the hope of big projects and employment. There are banners of job fairs but the kind of jobs being offered lack dignity of labour like delivery boys and drivers. Most of the youth joined the workforce earlier but they have not been paid regularly. Besides, there is no safety and no guarantee of work. Therefore, no one wants to take up such jobs,” Shinde said.
He said that in Vikhroli, a demand for a bridge to connect the east and west has still not been heard. “It has been 4.5 years but the bridge work has been completed. Besides, every day we have to face the odorous smell of the Mulund dumping ground. MPs need to take up these matters. People cannot even go for a walk in the evening. We neither got the big ticket projects nor work to hand,” he said.
Interestingly, former MP from NCP, Sanjay Dina Patil, who had won the seat in 2009 and is rumoured to be a probable BJP candidate this year restrained to comment against Somaiya to whom he lost the 2014 election.
Patil's colleague and NCP spokesperson, Nawab Malik also criticised Somaiya for failing to meet the people's expectations as an MP. He said when Somaiya was running for the Lok Sabha in 2014, he levelled serious allegations against the Congress and NCP leaders.
“Today, it has almost been five years since they have been in power, but not a single allegation levelled by him has been proved. Somaiya would rush to spots even after reports of small railway accidents at platforms. He would go to the railway platform to measure the gap between the railway and the platform. Yet, the gap between railway platforms has not under Somaiya's leadership. He has neither been raising this issue nor has he resolved them as an MP,” Malik said.
Malik said that a few months ago despite a major accident in Ghatkopar, the sitting BJP MP rather than rushing to the spot and giving relief to victims, was found dancing with the youth during Navratri. His video clip had gone viral in social media. Satyawan Dalvi, social activist, and MNS leader, said that their MP has failed on all fronts. “Somaiya is an expert in making tall announcements but on the ground, nothing is there,” Dalvi said.
“In 2014, Somaiya had promised petrol pumps in Mulund (east) so that the residents did not need to travel all the way to get fuel. We have been deprived of the basic services and even amenities,” Dalvi said.
He said, "In Mulund (east) we do not have a post office. The pensioners of those who have got work in the post office have to go to Mulund (west) to get the work done. We protested and due to our effort, we got the post office in our area,” he said.
When contacted Kirit Somaiya, DNA was told that he is busy in the Parliamentary budget session in Delhi. However, Bhalchandra Shirsat, ex-BJP corporator appreciated BJP MP's work. "Kirit ji is the pro-active politician and always available for people." Prakash Mehta, the housing minister, and BJP MLA from Ghatkopar (west) said that Kirit Somaiya has been doing good work and so there are no questions of replacing him in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.
TALL PROMISES FAIL TO RESOLVE CIVIC ISSUES
Both social activists and citizens are of the view that Kirit Somaiya has shown up only around the time of polls
Constituency profile and demographics
The northeast constituency —comprising of Mulund (BJP), Vikhroli (Sena), Bhandup West (Sena), Ghatkopar West (BJP), Ghatkopar East (BJP), M Shivaji Nagar (Samajwadi party) — is primarily dominated by Marathi, Gujarati and Muslim voters. Mulund, Vikhroli, Ghatkopar (east) and Bhandup are dominated by Marathi voters while Ghatkopar east and west are dominated by Gujarati, and Mankhurd and Shivaji Nagar by Dalits and Muslims respectively. The constituency is a mix of middle and working class.
Performance of MPS
157 – Debates participated in
470 – Questions
2 – Private bills
3 – Committee memberships
Kirit Somaiya, MP
Political equations
In 2014
The Modi wave played a major factor in the 2014 LS elections besides the MNS’s unconditional support. The MNS had received 1.91 lakh votes in the 2009 elections. It is said that MNS’s support had increased the margin of Somaiya in the 2014 elections.
In 2019
Two-time BJP Kirit Somaiya, the two-time BJP member of Parliament is facing anti-incumbency and a negative perception battle. Therefore, according to BJP sources, Somaiya is unlikely to be re-nominated for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. In the internal BJP survey, his candidature has been shown in the danger zone for the elections.
UTILISATION OF MPLADS FUNDS
Rs 25 cr – Entitlement to constituency
Rs 22.5 cr – Fund released by GOI
Rs 29.64 cr – Expenditure
Utilisation percentage over amount released – 100.57%
Unspent balance – 1.39%
THUS SPOKE JANATA
Kirit Somaiya has worked a lot in Mulund (E). He has repaired roads and has helped people personally too. It is because of his word that Modi ji sent me Rs 50,000 from the PM fund.
— George Karmanchi, Mulund
Where I stay, I can say that previously nothing was done but now when the elections are approaching, I see that all work has being started. Why don’t they do it in prior to the polls?
— Vicky Mudopogu, Mulund resident
I would consider his contribution during his tenure as zero. He seldom interacted with citizens. A good leader is always connected with the citizens. He is only active during election. No star for him.
— Padam Thakulla, Bhandup resident
Potholes are a serious problem in our locality. During monsoon, the situation is drastic. The roads should be maintained regularly for the citizens. Our MP should raise this issue.
— Subham Kamalapure, Ghatkopar (East) resident
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