The upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections in Mumbai's R South administrative division are set to witness a dramatic and highly personal political contest. The focus is sharply on a single electoral ward, previously held by the Congress, which slipped to the Shiv Sena after the disqualification of a sitting corporator over a caste certificate issue. Now reserved for women, the battle has transformed into a direct clash between political families.
A Ward Defined by Disqualification and Dynasty
The political narrative of Ward No. 28 is deeply intertwined with the disqualification of Congress corporator Rajpati Yadav. Yadav had won the seat in the 2017 elections but was later removed from office due to issues related to his caste certificate. Following his disqualification, Eknath Hundare of the Shiv Sena, who had secured the second-highest votes, was declared the winner.
With the seat now reserved for women, both major parties have turned to family members to reclaim their legacy. The Congress has fielded Ajanta Yadav, the wife of the disqualified Rajpati Yadav. Opposing her is Vrushali Hundare, the daughter of Eknath Hundare, who is contesting on a ticket from the Shiv Sena faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Adding a complex twist, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has also nominated a candidate from this ward. Political analysts suggest this move could split the traditional Shiv Sena vote share, potentially providing an advantage to Congress candidate Ajanta Yadav in a closely watched three-cornered fight.
Strategic Shifts and Saffron Stronghold Dynamics
In the broader, saffron-dominated R South division, parties are employing distinct strategies. The Shiv Sena (UBT) is aiming to retain its two seats by once again fielding candidates from families with a historical winning record here.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), meanwhile, has reshuffled its candidate list significantly, replacing five out of its ten candidates. The party has retained the remaining five candidates or their family members in a strategic bid to maintain its dominance in the region.
Another keen contest is unfolding in Ward No. 25, which covers Thakur Village, Samta Nagar, and Janupada. Here, BJP's Nisha Parulekar-Bangera, who narrowly lost to Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Madhuri Bhoir by fewer than 400 votes in 2017, is getting a second chance. The Mahayuti alliance has re-nominated Parulekar despite internal friction, as both BJP's Devang Dave and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena's Shekhar Shere had vied for the ticket.
Shiv Sena (UBT) has opted for a cautious approach in this ward, fielding Yogesh Bhoir, the husband of former corporator Madhuri Bhoir and a former corporator himself elected in 2012.
Infrastructure Strain in a Rapidly Growing Suburb
Beyond the political drama, the R South ward encapsulates the challenges of Mumbai's sprawling suburban growth. The area is experiencing rapid real estate development, with high-rise buildings emerging far from railway stations. This vertical and horizontal expansion, coupled with high population density, has placed enormous strain on civic infrastructure.
Local politicians from both ruling and opposition parties highlight chronic issues including severe traffic congestion, shrinking roads, and inadequate last-mile connectivity despite expansions in rail and metro networks. Several slum pockets and rehabilitation buildings continue to struggle with access to basic amenities like a reliable water supply.
Charkop MLA Yogesh Sagar pointed out the uneven distribution of resources, noting that while new private buildings and redevelopment projects are granted higher Floor Space Index (FSI), infrastructure upgrades have lagged dangerously behind. "Uneven water distribution remains a chronic problem," Sagar said, adding that the BMC has not increased water supply in proportion to the growing population. He also raised concerns about many rehabilitation buildings lacking fire safety compliance and being occupied without proper occupancy certificates.
With several newly developed pockets located nearly three kilometres from major transit links like railway stations or the Western Express Highway, commuting during peak hours remains a significant challenge for residents, exacerbated by traffic snarls and a shortage of auto-rickshaws and BEST buses.
Despite north Mumbai largely being a saffron stronghold, Mumbai Congress spokesperson Sureshchandra Rajhans expressed confidence. Contesting for the first time from Ward No. 26 against BJP's Pritam Pandagale, Rajhans claimed that a strong anti-incumbency sentiment on the ground would work in his party's favour, predicting the Congress could win at least 12 of the more than 30 seats across three administrative divisions.
