Dharavi voters delivered a clear message in the recent municipal elections. They overwhelmingly supported opposition candidates across the sprawling constituency. The results show a decisive shift away from the ruling coalition in this key Mumbai area.
Opposition Dominates Dharavi Wards
Out of seven contested seats in Dharavi, opposition parties secured six victories. Shiv Sena (UBT) emerged as the biggest winner with four seats. The Congress party added two more wins to the opposition tally. This strong performance created a notable setback for the Mahayuti alliance in the region.
Local residents cited specific concerns behind their voting patterns. Many expressed anxiety about the ongoing Dharavi redevelopment project. They feared potential displacement from their homes during the transformation. This widespread concern motivated voters to support opposition candidates as protective representatives.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Secures Multiple Victories
Shiv Sena (UBT) candidates performed exceptionally well across Dharavi. In ward 185, T M Jagdish defeated BJP's Ravi Raja by a significant margin. Jagdish, a former corporator for the ward, won with over 2,000 votes. His opponent had recently switched from Congress to BJP before the election.
The party continued its winning streak in neighboring wards. Archana Shinde claimed victory in ward 186 with 6,731 votes. Joseph Koli secured ward 187 with 7,067 votes. Harshala More won ward 189 convincingly with 8,081 votes.
Two of these victories faced temporary uncertainty during counting. Wards 185 and 189 experienced EVM error messages that delayed result declarations. Election officials conducted necessary checks before confirming both wins.
Congress Maintains Its Presence
The Congress party retained its influence in Dharavi with two important wins. Asha Kale defeated her Shiv Sena opponent in ward 183 by 1,254 votes. Sajida Babbu Khan, wife of former corporator Babbu Khan, won ward 184. She secured victory with a margin exceeding 2,000 votes against her rival.
These results demonstrate Congress's continued support base in specific Dharavi neighborhoods. The party successfully defended its traditional strongholds despite broader political shifts.
Mahayuti's Lone Victory
The ruling Mahayuti alliance managed just one victory in Dharavi. Shiv Sena's Bhaskar Shetty won ward 188 by a narrow margin of 460 votes. His closest competitor was AIMIM's Ali Munawar Sayyed, who received 6,035 votes.
Sayyed immediately demanded a recount following the close result. Congress candidate Mariammal Thevar, a former corporator for the area, finished third with 5,007 votes. This single win provided minimal consolation for the ruling coalition in Dharavi.
Voter Sentiment and Political Analysis
Election participants shared diverse perspectives on the outcomes. Neela Sonawane, the BJP candidate who lost in ward 186, acknowledged her party's improved performance. "Compared to last time, the BJP has done much better in Dharavi," she noted. "This gives me hope that more people are considering our vision."
Sonawane speculated about possible reasons for her defeat. She mentioned missing names from voting lists potentially affecting results. Many residents apparently expected concrete improvements in their neighborhoods from the ruling alliance.
The election results reflect Dharavi's complex political landscape. Voters balanced local concerns with broader political affiliations. Redevelopment anxieties clearly influenced their choices at the ballot box.
These municipal election outcomes may signal shifting political dynamics in Mumbai's important constituencies. Opposition parties demonstrated strong organizational capabilities in Dharavi. They successfully converted resident concerns into electoral support across multiple wards.
