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By:

Naresh Kamath

5 November 2024 at 5:30:38 am

Battle royale at Prabhadevi-Mahim belt

Amidst cut-throat competition, five seats up for grabs Mumbai: South Central Mumbai’s Prabhadevi-Mahim belt, an epicentre of Mumbai’s politics, promises a cut-throat competition as the two combines – Mahayuti and the Shiv Sena (UBT)-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) combine – sweat it out in the upcoming BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. It is the same ward where Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray used to address mammoth rallies at Shivaji Park and also the residence of MNS chief...

Battle royale at Prabhadevi-Mahim belt

Amidst cut-throat competition, five seats up for grabs Mumbai: South Central Mumbai’s Prabhadevi-Mahim belt, an epicentre of Mumbai’s politics, promises a cut-throat competition as the two combines – Mahayuti and the Shiv Sena (UBT)-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) combine – sweat it out in the upcoming BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. It is the same ward where Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray used to address mammoth rallies at Shivaji Park and also the residence of MNS chief Raj Thackeray. This belt has five wards and boasts of famous landmarks like the Siddhivinayak temple, Mahim Dargah and Mahim Church, and Chaityabhoomi, along with the Sena Bhavan, the headquarters of Shiv Sena (UBT) combine. This belt is dominated by the Maharashtrians, and hence the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS has been vocal about upholding the Marathi pride. This narrative is being challenged by Shiv Sena (Shinde) leader Sada Sarvankar, who is at the front. In fact, Sada has fielded both his children Samadhan and Priya, from two of these five wards. Take the case of Ward number 192, where the MNS has fielded Yeshwant Killedar, who was the first MNS candidate announced by its chief, Raj Thackeray. This announcement created a controversy as former Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Priti Patankar overnight jumped to the Eknath Shinde camp and secured a ticket. This raised heckles among the existing Shiv Sena (Shinde) loyalists who raised objections. “We worked hard for the party for years, and here Priti has been thrust on us. My name was considered till the last moment, and overnight everything changed,” rued Kunal Wadekar, a Sada Sarvankar loyalist. ‘Dadar Neglected’ Killedar said that Dadar has been neglected for years. “The people in chawls don’t get proper water supply, and traffic is in doldrums,” said Killadar. Ward number 191 Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Vishaka Raut, former Mumbai mayor, is locked in a tough fight against Priya Sarvankar, who is fighting on the Shiv Sena (Shinde) ticket. Priya’s brother Samadhan is fighting for his second term from neighbouring ward 194 against Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Nishikant Shinde. Nishikant is the brother of legislator Sunil Shinde, a popular figure in this belt who vacated his Worli seat to accommodate Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray. Sada Sarvankar exudes confidence that both his children will be victorious. “Samadhan has served the people with all his dedication so much that he put his life at stake during the Covid-19 epidemic,” said Sada. “Priya has worked very hard for years and has secured this seat on merit. She will win, as people want a fresh face who will redress their grievances, as Vishaka Raut has been ineffective,” he added. He says the Mahayuti will Ward number 190 is the only ward where the BJP was the winner last term (2017) in this area, and the party has once nominated its candidate, Sheetal Gambhir Desai. Sheetal is being challenged by Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Vaishali Patankar. Sheetal vouches for the BJP, saying it’s time to replace the Shiv Sena (UBT) from the BMC. “They did nothing in the last 25 years, and people should now give a chance to the BJP,” said Sheetal. Incidentally, Sheetal is the daughter of Suresh Gambhir, a hardcore Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray loyalist, who has been a Mahim legislator for 4 terms and even won the 1985 BMC with the highest margin in Mumbai. In the neighbouring ward number 182, Shiv Sena (UBT) has given a ticket to former mayor and veteran corporator Milind Vaidya. He is being challenged by BJP candidate Rajan Parkar. Like the rest of Mumbai, this belt is also plagued by inadequate infrastructure to support the large-scale redevelopment projects. The traffic is in the doldrums, especially due to the closure of the Elphinstone bridge. There are thousands of old buildings and chawls which are in an extremely dilapidated state. The belt is significant, as top leaders like Manohar Joshi, Diwakar Raote and Suresh Gambhir have dominated local politics for years. In fact, Shiv Sena party’s first Chief Minister, Manohar Joshi, hailed from this belt.

Providing facilities in line with public needs is govt's duty: UP CM

  • PTI
  • Jun 6, 2025
  • 3 min read


Gorakhpur: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said it is the responsibility of a popular government to provide infrastructure and facilities that align with the needs of a civilised society.


By tailoring services according to different income groups, the government can help make people's lives easier, he added.


The CM was speaking at the inauguration of the city's second Kalyan Mandapam in Surajkund Colony, constructed by the municipal corporation at a cost of Rs 4.52 crore in over 35,500 square feet of land.


Adityanath highlighted that Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation is the first in the state to initiate such community halls for weddings and other events, especially to serve people from lower and middle-income groups.


He said having access to a well-equipped venue like Kalyan Mandapam for Rs 11,000 to Rs ?25,000 makes ceremonial functions affordable and dignified. Five more Kalyan Mandapams are currently under construction in the city.


The CM informed that he had contributed the entire amount from his MLA fund for the construction of these halls and hoped that Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation would become a model for other civic bodies, according to an official statement.


Adityanath stressed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Smart City vision must also evolve into a "Safe City" model.


"We must build cities where women, traders, children, and every citizen feels safe. We need strong systems in place to ensure that those attempting to disrupt peace know the consequences," he said.


He encouraged citizens to install security cameras outside their homes to boost safety.


The Chief Minister also called for collective responsibility in maintaining cleanliness and protecting the environment urged councillors to form 'mohalla committees' in each ward, tasking them with overseeing sanitation and environmental efforts such as tree plantations.


He emphasised that Prime Minister Modi has made cleanliness a national priority, and it is everyone's duty to contribute.


On impact of climate change, CM Adityanath cited instances of extreme weather events and called for returning to nature to find solutions.


He supported PM Modi's appeal to plant a tree in the name of one's mother and proposed plantation drives along riverbanks to protect catchment areas.


"Rivers are like arteries of the nation's body. If they vanish, water crises arise," he said, recalling how the Gaurdhoiya stream, now being revived, was once a river but became a drain due to encroachments.


He announced that 50 crore saplings are ready for a 35-crore tree plantation drive this year.


CM Adityanath announced that the 75-bedded working women's hostel being built by Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation will be named after Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar, an icon of women empowerment and devotion to culture and religion.


The dedication coincides with Holkar's 300th birth anniversary and honours her contributions to empowering women, farmers, and artisans, as well as restoring several iconic temples across India, he noted.


Highlighting Gorakhpur's transformation, the CM spoke about improvements in road connectivity, including four-lane roads and inner-city ring roads.


He cited various projects undertaken by the municipal corporation -- integrated waste management at Suthni, multi-level parking at Bandhu Singh Park, a food street in Indira Bal Vihar, beautification of Ghantaghar and Laldiggi Park, a commercial complex in TP Nagar, and the Kanha Upvan shelter in Tal Nador -- as steps that are changing the urban experience.


He urged people to be both sensitive and vigilant in the process of development.


The CM also called on citizens to celebrate International Yoga Day on June 21 with grandeur, organising events in every ward and neighbourhood.


"Yoga is a guarantee of good health, and PM Modi has given it global recognition," he said. He also urged people to plant a tree in their mother's name on June 23, the death anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who advocated for 'One Nation, One Law'.


Earlier, the CM inaugurated the Kalyan Mandapam and toured the facility to inspect its infrastructure and services. On stage, he honoured 10 municipal employees with certificates and gifts for their outstanding work.

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