Mumbai: It’s been 16 years since the Vikhroli constituency was formed, and the initial dominance by the Raj Thackeray-led MNS in this area was challenged in 2014 by Sunil Raut, brother of Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut. Sunil Raut won assembly elections twice, in 2014 and 2019, and he is confident that this is now a Sena (UBT) bastion and that voters are loyalists of Uddhav Thackeray. This time, though, he faces a challenge from an erstwhile party colleague, Suvarna Karanje, a grassroots worker from the area who is contesting on a Shiv Sena ticket.
Although Sunil Raut has been campaigning door to door, the opposition, particularly Karanje, has been criticising him for “failing to fulfil promises given to voters previously”. On Sunday, with merely two days remaining for campaigning, 59-year-old Raut organised a massive bike and car rally in his constituency. This was not just a “demonstration of strength” but also enabled him to reach out to the maximum number of voters for support.
Raut, who dismissed Karanje’s allegations, interacted with various resident groups that met him, with many lauding the development work in their area over the past five years. Women welcomed him with floral garlands and traditional arati throughout the journey. After the rally, he visited a temple. “The common citizen will deliver a decisive response this election and ensure Uddhavji and his team return to governance on Nov 23,” said Raut.
A voter observing the procession said the Kanjurmarg dumping ground that manages 80% of Mumbai’s refuse, remains problematic. Despite govt assurances about moving it to Ambernath, implementation is pending. Raut’s supporters said the MLA raised this concern in the assembly, highlighting residents’ distress and requested relocation.
An onlooker expressed concerns regarding salt pan land allocation for Dharavi redevelopment, potentially affecting environmental sustainability. “We wish whoever is elected as MLA looks into the environmental concerns, which should be a priority in this constituency,” he said.
In the recently held Lok Sabha elections, Sena’s (UBT) Sanjay Dina Patil led in the Vikhroli assembly segment by around 16,000 votes against BJP’s (Mahayuti) Mihir Kotecha. “It is an indicator that we will win the assembly poll too,” Raut’s party worker said with confidence.