‘Work, not caste of leader, will make our lives better’

MUMBAI: Overall development, irrespective of the community or the party of the candidate, seemed to be the agenda of most Dalit voters in the city on Wednesday.

“We were excited about voting as all political parties went solo after many years,” said Prakash Ingle, a middle-level executive with a consumer goods company, who stays in a Dalit pocket in Jijamata Nagar and BDD chawl in Worli.

The area was nearly deserted during the first few hours after the polling booths opened on Wednesday, as the entire neighbourhood set out at once to cast their votes. The vicinities had already recorded more than 30% voting by noon -- a rarity in south Mumbai.

Dalit voters also claimed their choice was not restricted to candidates representing their community. “I have looked up all party manifestos and decided accordingly,” said Sawlaram Gholap, adding he opted for a national party.

Most people who came to the polling station at the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar municipal school in Parksite, Vikhroli (West), said they supported the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) because of its development agenda.

For some, it was a tough choice between the Shiv Sena, NCP and BJP. “Mobilising voters by invoking the Marathi identity does no good. All of us including north Indians and Muslims live in the same neighbourhood,” said Rohit Gore, 31.

With 40,000 Dalit voters, Dharavi is a reserved constituency for SCS in the island city. “For the past 40 years, I have not witnessed any development here. The situation has only worsened. The caste or sub-caste of the leader doesn’t matter, as long as we get better houses and faster redevelopment,” said Sameer Rohidas, a Dhorwada resident

All candidates in the constituency are Dalits, which will lead to a tough fight between Congress candidate Varsha Gaikwad, Shiv Sena’s Baburao Mane and BJP’S Divya Dhole.

Voters from Morarji Nagar in Andheri (East) said they wished the new government would change the system of contractual jobs. “It does not guarantee financial security and also has limited our growth,” said Hanumant Gaikwad, 60, a lift operator.

In Golibar, Khar (East), Dalit voters said they wanted a government that will focus on affordable housing and quality education. “An affordable housing scheme is the need of the hour. Dalits need quality education to help future generations become independent,” said Manoj Pagare, 35, a contractor.