The upcoming election in Maharashtra’s Mankhurd Shivajinagar constituency is shaping up to be a significant contest between two seasoned politicians: three-time MLA Abu Asim Azmi from the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Nawab Malik from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), who recently joined the Ajit Pawar faction. This contest is especially important as it will test Malik’s political position after his recent switch, and he is up against Azmi, who has maintained a strong hold over the constituency.
Voter Demographics:
Mankhurd Shivajinagar is a diverse constituency with a mix of slums and SRA (Slum Rehabilitation Authority) buildings. It is home to Marathi speakers, Muslims, Dalits, and people from various economic backgrounds. Azmi claims a vote base of 65,000 to 70,000 in the area, calling the constituency a traditional SP stronghold. He emphasizes his long-standing connection with the people and the work he has done over the years.
On the other hand, Malik claims strong support from nearly 60% of the electorate, stating that the people are looking for a new representative to address the ongoing issues in the area.
Key Issues:
Both candidates agree on some key issues facing the constituency, including the need for better healthcare, improved road quality, better connectivity, and the tackling of drug abuse. Here are Malik’s perspectives on these issues:
- Slum Rehabilitation and Redevelopment (SRA) Schemes:
Malik acknowledges the benefits of SRA schemes in providing slum dwellers with improved living conditions by moving them into new buildings. However, he highlights the importance of offering counseling to help residents adapt to this new lifestyle, preventing them from carrying the same mindset they had in slums. - Healthcare Infrastructure:
Malik stresses the need to improve healthcare facilities in the area. Currently, residents have to travel to distant hospitals like Shatabdi or Rajawadi for proper medical care. Addressing this will be a key part of his agenda, as he seeks to improve medical access for the constituency. - Road Quality and Connectivity:
Traffic congestion is a major concern, especially during peak hours when people travel between Mankhurd and major areas like Bandra or Andheri. Malik proposes the construction of missing road links and improving last-mile connectivity. He also highlights the challenges posed by slums in obstructing essential road construction, which will need to be addressed for better accessibility. - Public Transport and Pedestrian Access:
With poor accessibility around railway stations like Govandi and Mankhurd, Malik calls for better infrastructure to make these stations more visible and accessible, especially considering the presence of slums around these areas. He has proposed development plans for these stations that are reportedly in the final stages. - Drug Abuse:
Malik acknowledges the prevalence of drug abuse in the constituency, especially among the youth. He believes that the lack of job opportunities and inadequate education infrastructure are core reasons behind this issue. He proposes creating skill centers to provide youth with hands-on experience and the skills needed for employment, aiming to channel their energies in positive directions. - Employment and Youth Empowerment:
Unemployment is another critical issue for Malik. He plans to address this by establishing multiple skill centers to equip the youth with practical skills for job opportunities. His focus is on helping marginalized groups gain access to employment and break free from the cycle of poverty.
Conclusion:
This election will likely be influenced by how effectively each candidate addresses the constituency’s pressing issues, especially in terms of healthcare, infrastructure, and employment. With both Azmi and Malik presenting themselves as candidates who understand the local challenges, voters will have to weigh their priorities and choose who they believe can best represent their interests.
