Vikhroli, a battleground for four major parties
In Vikroli assembly constituency the primary players in the electoral fray are the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Vachit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA). This constituency is a stronghold of Shiv Sena, however, the sitting legislator Sunil Raut, brother of Sanjay Raut, is likely to face a tough competition from MNS candidate Vinod Shinde and VBA’s Siddharth Mokle. As Sanjay Dina Patil, the 2004 NCP legislator from this constituency, has joined Sena recently, it is believed that Sunil may not face a stiff competition. However, NCP has fielded Dhananjay Pisal, senior corporator and former group leader in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Electoral feature
This constituency has 2.30 lakh voters of which 60, 000 belong are from the other backward class (OBC) cast besides Marathi voters. Interestingly, of 288 Maharashtra assembly constituencies, the Vikroli constituency of Mumbai is claimed to be having the highest percentage of voters in the age group of 40’s. Besides this, it has a lot of Dalit and Muslim community voters.
The Vikroli assembly constituency is a stronghold of Shiv Sena from 1990 except in 2004 and 2009. In 2004, the NCP candidate Sanjay Dina Patil defeated Sena’s Leeladhar Dake by 5,600 votes. While in 2009, MNS won the seat. In 2014, Sunil Raut once again managed to retain the seat for Sena.
Listen to your candidates
SUNIL RAUT: The previous representatives in Vikroli failed to carry out any kind of development work. When I became legislator, the Kanamwar Nagar transit camp issue was serious. People were forcefully removed from their houses, however, I gave them justice. About 800 people of Kanamwar Nagar where provided one bedroom and kitchen flats. Also the long pending issue of illegal occupants of transit houses I resolved, only because of my efforts today those residents are also eligible for houses. Besides this, from past several years the construction of swimming pool in Kanamwar Nagar was not progressing and today because of my follow up an international standard swimming poll construction work will soon begin.
VINOD SHINDE: I am contesting elections on instructions of Raj saheb. Earlier I was reluctant to fight due to fund crisis. But later with support of party workers and other people I decided to give a tough fight. Being a corporator for last 15 years, NCP’s Pisal did nothing except doing paver blocks cementing work in chawls and housing societies. He dragged several young individuals in addiction of liquor consumption, as the constituency has a densely spread slums. Sunil Raut is a developer, however, he has an impression of goon over here. The residents whose houses have underwent for slum redevelopment are facing harassment from Raut.
SIDDHARTH MOKLE: We are fighting election on providing government scheme facilities to economically section people in terms of education, health facilities and job opportunities. The dumping ground issue has been embroiled in legal fights. Also, there is a long pending demand of Muslim community for crematorium.
Besides this, the constituency has lot of residents who are from workers class. However, no policy decision has been implemented that could benefit them. No government schemes have been introduced in this constituency by the previous legislator despite being in government. Also, the Vikroli constituency has a lot of youths, however, no employment opportunities were ever given to them. We know “concept is currency” but the legislator never looked in this issue.
DHANANJAY PISAL: If elected I will bring policy decision for the welfare of the constituency people. The then assembly representative neither did paver block cementing work nor provide toilet facilities, these are the responsibilities of a councilor not of legislator. Raut failed to undertake any big development work. Today people of this constituency have to go to east to visit BMC ward office, ration office and Maharashtra State Electricity Board office. Due to massive traffic at Gandhi Nagar they waste a lot of time. I want to provide east west connectivity by building foot over bridge. I want to provide multi speciality government hospital for citizens of Vikroli today they have go to Rajawadi or at Sion.
Peoples’ voices
Jayant Howal a resident of Vikroli said that he wants his assembly representative reachable to ordinary public. Moreover, he wants the work of foot-over-bridge of eastwest connectivity should be taken on priority as it will reduce the route distance. Current we have to go via Gandhi Nagar Powai to either go to east or to west. A lot of time is wasted. I also expected the legislator to bring some policy decision for the people living on mountains in Surya Nagar. During rainy seasons residents live in fear of land slide, also if there is a death in someones family the deceased body has to brought down and then the cremation rituals are performed.
Rajesh Shirke another resident of Vikroli said that the dumping ground issue should be resolved first. It’s affected our health badly. Moreover, the incumbent government has planned to construct houses on the salt pan lands. If houses are built we may face waterlogging here.
Sunil Raut’s tall claims
Because of my efforts and constant follow up I managed to construct international level swimming pool using government funds for my constituency children.
I achieved 90% procedural work for the redevelopment of Kanamwar Nagar MHADA buildings. The work was delayed due to financial issues apart from obtaining other permissions. The recent Punjab and Maharashtra Corporation (PMC) Bank crisis and involvement of HDIL in this redevelopment project, the work was affected. But I found two builders who have shown interest in the project.
I am confident to win this assembly elections. Its not just my confidence but my people who believe me are sure of my victory. I did a lot of developmental work and continue to do so if elected again.
The constituency has 75 % Marathi voters. Highest voters in OBC category. Most of the voters are in the age group of 40s