MUMBAI: With overall 1,700 candidates in the fray, the BMC elections are shaping up to be a tight contest. Yet, while most seats continue to see multi-cornered fights—with an average of five or more candidates, including nominees of Mahayuti, Congress-VBA, Sena (UBT)MNS, AAP and smaller parties such as BSP and RPI, as well as a clutch of independents—it’s one-on-one contests in at least 11 of the 227 wards, making the outcome a clearer test of local political strength, personal influence and voter preference.Prominent among these is the fight in Colaba, where BJP’s Makarand Narwekar is pitted against independent Tejal Pawar. Another keenly watched face-off is between Sena (UBT)’s Vishakha Raut, a poll veteran, and electoral debutante Sena’s Priya Sarvankar, daughter of former MLA Sada Sarvankar. Vandana Gawli, sister-in-law of gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli who is contesting on a Sena ticket, and Sena (UBT)’s Aboli Khadye are also squaring off in a straight battle.
Priya Sarvankar expressed confidence that she’d win. “I am a much younger candidate as compared to my opponent. I think people want a corporator who can be available any time for them unlike a senior person,” she said. Her brother, Samadhan, is also contesting the election.Raut said she has built a personal bond with her voters over the last three decades. “They haven’t only been my voters but have also been a part of my political journey, which began in 1992. So, there’s no question about who they would vote for.”Despite having only one opponent, Narwekar feels that all opposition parties are backing her to ensure that votes aren’t split. “However, the local voters are with me and I am sure that they will make an informed choice by voting for me,” he said.
