Governance

Finally, it is that time again, after five years. Voting for the 18th Lok Sabha is on May 20th for Mumbai and people are watching the high-pitched campaigns by candidates. And many voters — young and old — are perplexed at political developments over the past few months and years.  It is hard to tell when it started, or that it was always there. At one time, defecting to another political party was looked down upon. Political leaders who party-hopped were quizzed by the media, questioned by the people at public meetings and had to work doubly hard to convince…

In the 4th phase of the Lok Sabha Elections, among other regions in India, six constituencies of Mumbai (city and suburban), Thane, Kalyan and Palghar will vote on May 20th. As the campaign peaks and promises fly from every leader and candidate, voters are getting ready to cast their precious vote. Making an informed choice, is the first step towards strengthening democracy and ensuring sustainable and equitable life for all. Mumbai Votes, a not-for-profit, independent info-bank, conducts research on election manifestos, party promises, their implementation over the years and sector wise performance of different political parties. In the run up…

The Thane Lok Sabha constituency is one of the fastest urbanising belts taking in the spilloffs of Mumbai’s growth. The constituency includes the Navi Mumbai, Mira-Bhayender, Thane city, Owala-Majiwada and Kopri-Pachpakhadi. The meteoric rise of the legislator from the Kopri Pach-Pakhadi constituency, Eknath Shinde as the chief minister has suddenly brought sharp focus on this area. Shinde has been taking a personal interest in Thane and has been fast-tracking developmental projects in this locality. Thane has undergone a major metamorphosis from being a green jungle to a concrete residential jungle with promenades coming up alongside rivers. Public transportation is a…

The Mumbai South constituency represents the vibrant best of our city and country, be it finance (the Reserve Bank of India and the Bombay Stock Exchange), banking (almost all leading banks have their headquarters here), history (Gateway of India) and heritage (art deco buildings, the CSMT railway station). Not surprisingly, this constituency continues to attract tourists in droves from across the country and world. It is also home to various agitations and movements that find space at Azad Maidan and also attracts various key sporting events at the Wankhede stadium and various sporting clubs. It is a constituency of the…

The Mumbai North West constituency spread from Goregaon to Andheri (east and west), is one of the fastest growing suburbs with commercial complexes housing the IT sector, the MIDC, the hub of the film industry including Film City. Moreover, it has the pristine Aarey forest that is slowly giving way to various urban infrastructure projects. About 800 acres were notified as reserved forests and is the last of the forest patch existing within the realms of this bustling commercial city. It also houses the international airport and is a hub of allied services like hotels, travel ticketing and airlines offices. It…

Mumbai North East (Parliamentary Constituency no 28) comprises six assembly constituencies: Mulund, Vikhroli, Bhandup (W), Ghatkopar (W), Ghatkopar (E), Mankhurd – Shivaji Nagar. After the delimitation of 2008, the first MP from this constituency was Sanjay Dina Patil, who contested from an NCP ticket. The constituency shows a demographic variety both in terms of religion and standard of living. There is a sizeable population of the Muslim religious minority here. It has the M-East ward, one of the poorest in the city with lowest human development indicators. The ward saw an outbreak of mumps a while ago. Mumbai North East…

The Mumbai North constituency is located at the northern tip of Mumbai encompassing the coastlines of Gorai, Malad and tapers at the Dahisar toll naka leading into the forests of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP).  It is well connected with the Western Express Highway and the Link Road, which run parallel. The metro 7 and 2A line networks connect various locations. However, the terminal point of Borivali railway station struggles to accommodate new stations as it has emerged as the central point connecting the expanding localities of Vasai-Virar belt.  The challenges of housing in the koliwadas of the fishing…

Mumbai South Central is a constituency that includes areas in Mumbai such as Chembur, Anushakti Nagar, Dharavi (SC), Sion Koliwada, Wadala, and Mahim assembly constituencies. This is a diverse constituency, with a high population density. Dharavi, one of Asia's largest informal settlements is home to an estimated one million people and is a known hub for recycling, leather, and pottery mirco-industries. Chembur, which used to be mostly industrial land with the presence of BARC and RCF, is rapidly transforming into a prime location for real-estate developers, building middle income and luxurious high rises in the area. Anushakti Nagar, a self-contained, planned…

Mumbai North Central (Parliamentary Constituency number 29) is a Lok Sabha constituency in the state of Maharashtra. It consists of six Vidhan Sabha segments: 167-Vile Parle, 168-Chandivali, 174-Kurla, 175-Kalina, 176-Bandra (east), 177- Bandra (west). Mumbai North Central constituency was formed before 1952. These six Vidhan Sabha constituencies came under Mumbai North Central after the delimitation of 2008. The first MP to be elected from Mumbai North Central after the delimitation was Priya Dutt of the Indian National Congress in 2009.  Poonam Mahajan of the Bharatiya Janata Party has been the MP for this constituency, winning two consecutive terms in 2014…

Out of three parliamentary constituencies in Thane District, Kalyan is a major constituency which comprises six legislative assemblies - Ambernath, Dombivli, Kalyan East, Kalyan Rural, Kalwa-Mumbra and Ulhasnagar. The constituency was created in 2009 after the recommendation of the Delimitation Commission of India. The qualified medical practitioner turned politician Dr Shrikanth Eknath Shinde is the current incumbent MP from the original Shiv Sena. The constituency is an urban area where parts of Ambernath, Dombivli, Kalyan East, Ulhasnagar, Kalwa Mumbra and Kalyan rural are urbanised. Dombivli is the new hub for industrial development as Sketchers developed Asia’s second largest national distribution…