Mumbai: Mumbaikars braved heat and humidity, came out to vote in the six constituencies in Mumbai on Monday. The voters turnout recorded 53.51 per cent, which is an increase of around two per cent more than 51.68 per cent recorded in 2014 Lok Sabha polls. According to a political pundit, the increase in percentage favours the ruling party. However, the Mumbai South, has recorded 50.17 per cent.
The Gujarati and Jain dominated Mumbai North has registered the highest turnout of 57.76 per cent, near six per cent rise as compared to the 2014 polls. Gopal Shetty of the BJP and Urmila Matondkar of the Congress, who is a first timer, are contesting.
Borivli assembly has registered 61.25 per cent turnout, followed by Dahisar, which registered 58.58 per cent. Of the six assembly segments in Mumbai North, only Malad-west is represented by Congress. Meanwhile, Borivli, Charkop, Dahisar and Kandivli East held by BJP legislator whereas Magathane is held by Shiv Sena.
In Mumbai South, where Milind Deora of Congress is pitted against Arvind Sawant of Sena, Worli and Siwri is ruled by Shiv Sena whereas Colaba , Malbar Hill and Mumbadevi is being held by BJP. All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) holds Byculla assembly segment.
Industrialist Mukesh Ambani had endorsed Deora’s candidature. The BJP workers did not work for Sena’s Sawant, alleged a vibhag pramukh of Sena requesting anonymity.
In the Mumbai North-West, Gajanan Kirtikar of Sena is pitted against Sanjay Nirupam of Congress. The voter turnout was 53.53 per cent, two per cent higher than 2014 polls.
Nirupam said, “The voters were in queue even after 6pm and increase in turnout goes against the ruling government.”
Of the six segments in the North-West constituency, Andheri-West, Goregaon and Versova are held by BJP, whereas Andheri -East, Dindoshi and Jogeshwari East are held by Shiv Sena.
In the North-East constituency, Manoj Kotak of BJP was pitted against Sanjay Dina Patil of NCP. There is an increase of two per cent voting than 2014 polls. Both NCP and BJP claim they will win the seat. Kirit Somaiya, the outgoing MP was replaced by Kotak amid opposition from Shiv Sena. In this constituency, Ghatkopar-east, Mulund held by BJP whereas Bhandup west and Vikhroli is held by Shiv Sena. Mankhurd-Shivaji nagar is held by Samajwadi Party.
In Mumbai North-Central, Poonam Mahajan of BJP is pitted against Priya Dutt of Congress. In this constituency, Bandra East is the Muslim-dominated assembly segment, which remained with Congress and backed the Sunil Dutt family. This assembly segment held by Shiv Sena as the Kalanagar also comes under it. It has registered 48.09 per cent polling. The Kalina, Chandivli and Kurla also held by Sena whereas Vile-Parle is held by BJP.
Sanjay Dutt, Bollywood actor and brother of Priya Dutt, has actively partcipated in poll rallies. It is to be seen if the voters will elect Priya Dutt like they voted in 2009 and before after her father’s death or will repeat the daughter of the BJP’s late leader Pramod Mahajan.
Congress is expecting the Mumbai South-Central seat where Rahul Shewale of Shiv Sena’s is pitted against Eknath Gaikwad of Congress. Gaikwad was dependent upon Dharavi, his stronghold, represented by daughter, Varsha in assembly. However, the Dharavi assembly segment has registered mere
