MNS and Congress field north Indian candidates from Kandivali (E) but voters are not impressed with their performance.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) might be claiming that it’s a party which fights for the cause of Marathi people but it has fielded Akhilesh Chaubey a north Indian candidate to contest the upcoming assembly polls in Kandivali (e). Since there is sizeable number of people belonging to north India in Kandivali hence the party is trying to woo them by fielding a north Indian candidate. Akhilesh Chaubey is the public face of the MNS ‘s legal team. On the other hand, Congress has fielded Thakur Ramesh Singh from the same constituency. Thus Kandivali will witness a contest between two candidates belonging to the north Indian community.
To counter these candidates, Shiv Sena had fielded Amol Kirtikar, son of Gajanan Kirtikar while Atul Bhatkhalkar general secretary of the BJP’s Mumbai unit will be contesting poll from Kandivali (E).
Akhilesh Chaubey the 32-year-old lawyer, whose family is from Jaunpur in UP, isn’t apologetic about being the most ardent North Indian supporter of Raj. Chaubey’s association with Raj goes back to 1987 when he was an activist of Shiv Sena’s student wing Bharati Vidyarthi Sena, then headed by Raj.
Thakur Ramesh Singh was elected as Corporator in the year 1992 from Kandivali (E), Mumbai as an independent candidate winning the election with a thumping majority.
When AV spoke to Kandivali residents about Akhilesh Choube and Thakur Ramesh Singh many of them were unhappy with the latter’s performance. Here is what they had to say:
Ashok Pawar a cobbler said, “Thakur Ramesh Singh has not performed any work till date. I will vote for Akhilesh Choube if he possess good credentials.”
Shyam Sunder Gaud a hawker said, “No candidate has performed any developmental work. Many of them merely make some announcements before election. After coming to power nobody comes forward to resolve the problems of the poor.”
Anjali a private sector employee said, “Every politician is only interested in making money after coming to power. Vegetables and foodgrains have become expensive. I reside in Asha Nagar and have noticed several posters of Thakur Ramesh Singh but he has failed to deliver. North Indians have a right to stay in any part of the country.”
Madhavi Patil said, “I was expecting that MNS will field Marathi candidates in our constituency. No development is visible anywhere.”
Rakesh Kadam a cobbler said, “Politicians have not done any developmental work. I am disappointed that MNS has issued tickets to non-Marathi people.”
Suresh Patel a shop owner said, “Candidates’ background doesn’t matter to me. He should work for the welfare of the people.”
Vipin Gupta a shop owner said, “Thakur Ramesh Singh had constructed roads and is doing a good job. I will vote for Congress.”
Dayaram Nayak a hawker said, “I have been residing here since last 30 years but no development has happened. Thakur Ramesh Singh is winning election as he is a rich person.”
Bandya Bhore a vegetable vendor said, “Thakur Ramesh Singh has not done any work but Akhilesh Choube has been doing good job.”
Ram Yadav a vendor said, “Thakur Ramesh Singh has not done any work and he will lose the election.”
By Maya Gohil
