Mumbai: People in the Malad West assembly constituency, especially in Malwani, are fed up of problems like drug addiction amongst youth, crimes and the lack of basic amenities such as toilets and water supply, which they have been facing for decades. These are the issues on which candidates will contest the poll in this constituency.
People are speaking of change this time as they blame inaction by two-term sitting MLA Aslam Shaikh from Congress for the mess. Since Shaikh has failed to resolve problems, constituents say they will not re-elect him for a third term.
“This time, Shaikh will lose, as people from Malwani, said to be his major vote bank, are fed up of their struggle with the land mafia, rising crimes, drug addiction amongst youths and lack of potable water. For long, we have complained of these issues without hope,” says a weary Malvani resident.
Another disillusioned resident says, “Sab saale chor hai, sirf election ke time aa jaate hain, baaki time gayab ho jaate hain (They are all thieves, they just show faces during elections. For the rest of the time, they just disappear).
This time, BJP’s Ramesh Singh is contesting against Shaikh. Let’s see who wins, it does not matter who will be elected, our condition will remain the same. Though slum dwellers are the main voters, those elected work only in posh areas. But it is we who suffer.”
