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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.

Trailblazing Bureaucrat

The nine days of Navratri celebrate goddesses who embody strength in different forms; valour, compassion, creativity, austerity, devotion, justice, protection, forgiveness and wisdom. In our annual Navratri series, we celebrate the lives of nine women who strive to build happy and safe spaces for themselves and those around them.


PART - 7


Name: Sujata Saunik | Where: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Name: Sujata Saunik | Where: Mumbai, Maharashtra

In June 2024, Maharashtra appointed Sujata Saunik as Chief Secretary, the first woman to hold the position in the state’s 64-year history. Her achievement resonated beyond breaking a glass ceiling.


Sujata’s journey into public service began in 1987, when she joined the Indian Administrative Service. Over the next three decades, she worked across a wide spectrum of responsibilities, including public health, finance, education, social welfare, and disaster management. Her assignments were not limited to Maharashtra; she also served in national institutions such as the National Disaster Management Authority and the Central Social Welfare Board and represented India in United Nations missions in Kosovo and Cambodia. Each of these roles added depth to her understanding of how governance systems must function—not only efficiently, but inclusively, reaching the last person in the queue.


Her academic background gave her a strong foundation for reform. A gold medallist in history from Panjab University and later a Takemi Fellow at Harvard School of Public Health, she blended scholarship with practical action. This mix of intellectual rigour and hands-on experience shaped her approach as an officer: disciplined, data-driven, yet sensitive to human needs.


Sujata’s rise to the top was not without obstacles. Twice she was overlooked for the post of Chief Secretary, first in 2023 when her own husband, Manoj Saunik, was chosen, and again in early 2024 when another senior officer was appointed. For many, such setbacks might have been disheartening, but she chose patience and professionalism over disappointment. When she finally assumed charge in June 2024, her appointment became symbolic not just for women in administration but for anyone who believes that persistence eventually earns its place.


Her leadership style has been described as strict yet nurturing. Colleagues see her as a no-nonsense officer, firm in her expectations, but also willing to mentor and guide younger officers. One of her first initiatives as Chief Secretary was to make cabinet meetings paperless, introducing iPads for ministers and moving towards a more transparent, technology-driven system. While the change may appear procedural, it reflected her larger vision: governance that is modern, efficient, and accountable.


Sujata’s appointment was historic not only for her own achievement but also as part of a larger milestone: for the first time in Maharashtra’s history, three All India Services posts are held by women. Alongside Rashmi Shukla, the state’s first woman Director General of Police, and Shomita Biswas of the Indian Forest Service, Sujata led the administration as Chief Secretary, sending a powerful message that women are not merely participants in governance but are shaping its very direction.


Beyond titles and reforms, Sujata’s story is one of resilience and inclusion. It shows that genuine progress in governance lies in empowering people, building trust, and creating opportunities for the often unseen. She embodies this spirit, proving that discipline and compassion can transform a state.


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