In the race for Mumbai’s North Central Lok Sabha seat, BJP’s Ujjwal Nikam and Congress’ Varsha Gaikwad aim to sway the caste dynamics in their favour.
Ujjwal Nikam, renowned as the special prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai attack case, steps into the electoral arena representing the BJP, while Varsha Gaikwad, the incumbent Dharavi MLA, contests for the Congress.
Scheduled for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 20, Mumbai North Central constituency comprises six assembly segments, including Vile Parle, Chandivali, Kurla, Kalina, Vandre East, and Vandre West.
With BJP, Congress, and Shiv Sena being the major players, the constituency has witnessed a diverse political spectrum over the years, from Congress’ Sharad Dighe to Shiv Sena’s Manohar Joshi.
Poonam Mahajan, daughter of late Pramod Mahajan, represented the seat twice, defeating Congress’ Priya Dutt in 2014 and 2019 by significant margins.
Ujjwal Nikam, embracing his candidacy as a pivotal life choice, emphasises Prime Minister Modi’s transformative vision for the nation and his commitment to upholding India’s global stature.
Varsha Gaikwad underscores the election as a crucial battle to safeguard India's constitutional values and its future, rallying for unified support to secure victory.
The constituency reflects Mumbai’s dichotomy, with affluent neighbourhoods juxtaposed against sprawling slums, highlighting the city's allure for migrants.
Issues like traffic congestion, inadequate infrastructure, and pollution dominate local debates, with the ruling party highlighting initiatives like slum rehabilitation and metro rail projects as part of their agenda.
Maharashtra, with its significant 48 Lok Sabha seats, plays a pivotal role in national politics. In the 2019 elections, BJP secured a majority of seats, with Shiv Sena and NCP also making substantial gains.
Following the split within Shiv Sena in 2022, the Eknath Shinde faction aligned with the BJP, reshaping the political landscape in the state.
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