In a significant political setback, both daughters of gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli lost their bids in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. This defeat deals a blow to Gawli and his Akhil Bharatiya Sena (ABS) party, which had pinned high hopes on the candidates.
Geeta Gawli's Defeat in Ward 212
Geeta Gawli, a two-time corporator, contested from Ward 212. She received 6,823 votes but lost to Samajwadi Party's (SP) Amreen Shahzad Abrahni, who polled 8,848 votes. Political observers noted that Gawli heavily relied on his daughters, especially Geeta, for this electoral battle.
During the campaigning period, Geeta was accompanied by her mother. Reports indicate that Arun Gawli, often referred to as "Daddy," deliberately stayed away from the campaign trail. This absence raised eyebrows among political analysts.
Yogita Gawli's Third-Place Finish
Yogita Gawli, Geeta's sister, contested from Ward 207. She secured third place with 6,377 votes. The ward was won by BJP's Rohidas Lokhande, who defeated MNS's Dilip Haryan by a margin of 1,318 votes.
SP's Intensive Campaign Strategy
The Samajwadi Party's victory in Ward 212 was bolstered by an aggressive grassroots campaign. Haji Firoz Khan "Gabbar," a star campaigner from Uttar Pradesh, extensively campaigned for Amreen Shahzad Abrahni.
Gabbar stated that the SP focused on securing support from north Indian and Muslim communities. Through persistent outreach efforts, the party also gained some Maharashtrian votes, partly due to incumbency factors.
"From roadshows to door-to-door campaigning, we reached every lane, every home, and even individual flats," Gabbar emphasized. This meticulous approach played a crucial role in mobilizing voters.
Arun Gawli's Political Future
Arun Gawli, who served as an MLA from Chinchpokli from 2004 to 2008, was present when his daughters filed their nominations. However, with both daughters losing the civic polls, political observers suggest that Gawli may now face challenges in maintaining his political relevance.
This electoral outcome forces Gawli to reassess his strategy and potentially fight back to regain influence in Mumbai's political landscape. The defeat highlights the shifting dynamics in local politics and the competitive nature of BMC elections.
