The upcoming elections for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), scheduled for Thursday, have found their central battleground in the dense lanes of Dharavi. The massive Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) has emerged as the defining issue, polarizing the political landscape and forcing residents to choose sides based on their hopes and fears for the future of Asia's largest slum.
A Crowded Electoral Battlefield
Covering wards 183 to 189, the Dharavi constituency is witnessing a fiercely contested election. The political scene is crowded, with major parties, smaller regional players, and a significant number of independent candidates vying for power. In a striking example, ward 188 alone has 20 candidates competing for the corporator's post. The area's narrow gullies are saturated with campaign activity; makeshift party offices, campaign tents, and loudspeaker-fitted vehicles vie for the attention of every passerby. As evening falls, multiple small groups from different political formations take to the streets, their slogans and speeches echoing through the neighbourhood.
Despite the presence of parties like the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Samajwadi Party (SP), and AIMIM, residents view this as a contest dominated by larger forces. The core choice is stark: support the current redevelopment plan or align with the Opposition to gain leverage and a bargaining chip if the project proceeds unfavourably.
Fear of Displacement Drives Voter Sentiment
For many residents, the DRP spells anxiety about being uprooted. "Redevelopment will push us out of Dharavi, so we do not want it. We are with the Congress," stated one woman walking with AAP party workers, highlighting the complex political allegiances at play. The electoral contests here are multifaceted: Congress has a candidate in every seat, while two seats will see a direct Shiv Sena vs Shiv Sena (UBT) face-off. Two other wards will witness a fight between Sena (UBT) and the BJP, and another two will feature a contest between the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
Opposition to the DRP, however, is not uniform. There is a widespread, tacit understanding that the project's momentum is irreversible. The criticism is focused on its execution. Vasant Nakashe, a former Shiv Sena corporator from ward 186 and husband of UBT candidate Vasha Nakashe, clarified the stance: "The DRP will not give homes to the people of Dharavi in Dharavi, and that is what we are against. Their plan is to term most people ineligible. We will ensure everyone gets 500 sq ft homes here."
The fear of losing one's home is palpable. A party worker for Congress candidate Mariammal Thevar in ward 188 issued a stark warning: "If someone from Shinde's party is elected from here, the roof over our heads will be gone. For us poor people, our slum homes are our palaces. Congress will be our support." Candidate Thevar emphasized her party's commitment to securing 500 sq ft homes within Dharavi for its residents.
Mahayuti Counters Opposition Narrative
Candidates from the ruling Mahayuti alliance are actively countering what they call fear-mongering by the Opposition. "The Opposition parties are playing on the fears of displacement of the people here to garner votes," said Praveen Jain, who is supporting his wife, Shiv Sena candidate Komal Jain. He claims they are dispelling misinformation and promises that homes will be provided within Dharavi, even to those deemed 'ineligible' under normal circumstances.
Mahayuti campaigners are also attacking the track record of previous representatives. BJP worker Vinod Kamble, campaigning with candidate Ravi Raja, pointed to persistent issues like garbage, sewage, and waterlogging. "Redevelopment is what we are waiting for," he asserted, acknowledging concerns from commercial establishment owners but promising that BJP workers are negotiating satisfactory arrangements.
Unconvinced Voters: The Kumbhar Community
One significant community that remains skeptical is the kumbhars (potters) of Kumbharwada. While eligible residential tenants are promised 350 sq ft homes, the fate of commercial establishments, including pottery studios and recycling units, remains unclear and under negotiation. This uncertainty has led to resistance against the ongoing surveys.
Vinod Chauhan, a pottery studio owner, expressed deep distrust: "This government is a thief and will not give us anything. The DRP first wants to survey us... but why can't they first come to us with what they are offering?" His sentiment points towards a potential protest vote for the Opposition, seen as a necessary check on power. As Mumbai heads to the polls, the future of Dharavi and the fortunes of its political contenders are inextricably linked to a single, monumental project.
