A Crucible for Mumbai’s Future

Now with voting completed, the November 23 results will be especially crucial for Mumbai this time. The ‘Maximum City’s’ election landscape in this heated contest was dominated by debates surrounding redevelopment projects, governance and public welfare schemes with the ongoing Dharavi Redevelopment Project led by the Adani Group dominating the discourse.

Dharavi, one of the largest slum clusters in Asia, became a major political flashpoint in Mumbai’s poll battle, with the ruling Mahayuti coalition led by CM Eknath Shinde and the BJP staunchly defending the project by positioning it as the culmination of decades of promises.

Rajesh Khandare of the Shiv Sena, who was the Mahayuti’s candidate, projected himself as the candidate of change and development, and his emphasis on the long-awaited Dharavi redevelopment project striking a chord with voters favouring of modernizing the slums and lifting them from their chronic underdevelopment.

Dharavi, a traditional Congress stronghold long been represented by the Gaikwad family, could be hard going for the opposition MVA this time. With Varsha Gaikwad’s move to Parliament, the Congress had fielded her sister, Jyoti, as the MVA candidate. But as critics argue that the Congress’s reliance on dynasty politics has alienated voters seeking fresh leadership.

Beyond Dharavi, Mumbai’s infrastructure development has been a focal point of political discourse, especially since the inauguration of large-scale projects like the Mumbai Coastal Road. However, these projects have faced criticism for neglecting certain sections of society. The Mumbai Coastal Road, for instance, has been praised for reducing commute times but criticized for prioritizing car users over pedestrians and cyclists. Environmental activists and fisherfolk, whose livelihoods are disrupted by these developments, have raised concerns about the socio-environmental impact.

Another project that has been a lightning rod for debate is the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), which is expected to significantly reduce travel time between South Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. However, the high tolls on this bridge are causing discontent among citizens, with many questioning the project’s actual accessibility for the average Mumbaikar.

The delay in holding the BMC elections, the city’s municipal elections, has also drawn political ire. The state government’s claims that the delay is due to issues like OBC reservations have not placated critics, who see this as a power grab. Some argue that these delays have undermined the democratic process and deprived citizens of their right to choose their local government.

The opposition Congress, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MVA in general, had taken a combative stance in this election over Dharavi, with Rahul Gandhi accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of prioritizing the interests of business tycoon Gautam Adani over the welfare of Maharashtra’s citizens.

Another crucial factor in Mumbai’s elections is the Muslim vote. In the poll run-up, a sense of disillusionment pervaded Mumbai’s Muslim community, which constitutes around 20% of the city’s population and holds sway over key constituencies like Byculla, Mahim, Malad and Dharavi. Despite their electoral clout, Muslim voters were underrepresented on the candidate lists of both the Mahayuti alliance and the opposition MVA. Despite the MVA, and especially the Sena (UBT), receiving significant Muslim support in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, it remains to be seen whether the minority community have voted for the opposition en bloc this time around.

Regardless of who emerges the winner, one thing that is clear is that the results on November 23 are set to impact Mumbai in a big way.