Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jan 10: With no single party having enjoyed dominance in the previous Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) term, Mumbai’s sprawling L Ward has once again emerged as a political hotspot ahead of the civic elections, witnessing intense churn marked by defections, last-minute ticket changes and internal rebellion, particularly within the Shiv Sena–BJP alliance.
The seat-sharing arrangement between the allies has triggered multiple high-profile contests, while also paving the way for the electoral debut of relatives of sitting MLAs and a former minister.
In ward No. 157, Shiv Sena MLA Dilip Lande had earlier indicated that either Dr Ravindra Mhaske or his wife Dr Sarita Mhaske would be fielded. However, after the ward was reserved for open women and Sarita began preparing to file her nomination, the couple was informed at the eleventh hour that the seat had been allotted to the BJP. Subsequently, the Mhaskes crossed over to Shiv Sena (UBT), which fielded Sarita Mhaske. Sarita had earlier lost the same ward as a Congress candidate by a narrow margin of 573 votes. BJP, meanwhile, has fielded Asha Tayde, wife of former corporator Ishwar Tayde, who has switched loyalties multiple times over the years.
Ward No. 168 saw BJP initially issue its AB form to local worker Aditya Panse, who filed his nomination, only to be asked to withdraw later. The party eventually fielded Anuradha Pednekar, wife of Sena vibhag pramukh Mahesh Pednekar and runner-up in the previous civic polls. She will take on NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) candidate Saeda Khan, the ward’s corporator from 2017 to 2022.
In ward No. 162, Amir Nasim Khan, son of former minister Arif Naseem Khan, is making his electoral debut. He faces a tough contest from former corporator Wajid Qureshi, now fielded by the Sena, and S Annamalai of Sena (UBT). Political observers believe Amir Khan has an advantage, given his father’s strong performance in the last assembly election. The race is further complicated by three former BJP workers contesting as independents.
Ward No. 163 features Shaila Lande, wife of Chandivali MLA Dilip Lande, contesting on a Sena ticket against Congress candidate Sonu Jain, who hails from a prominent local business family. Adding another dimension to the contest, Ritadevi Singh, mother of BJP Yuva Morcha office bearer Sonu Singh, is contesting on an NCP ticket.
Another keenly watched battle is in ward No. 169, where Jay Kudalkar, son of Kurla MLA Mangesh Kudalkar, is entering the electoral fray for the first time. He faces Sena (UBT) candidate Pravina Morajkar, who represented the ward between 2017 and 2022. The contest has been further intensified by BJP rebellion, with party office bearer Amit Shelar contesting as an independent, alleging that commitments to his candidature were overridden by pressure from local leadership.
Ward No. 165 will witness a clash between two seasoned politicians, with Congress fielding two-time corporator Ashraf Azmi, while NCP has nominated Kaptan Malik, another former corporator who shifted wards after his earlier constituency was reserved for women.
One of Mumbai’s largest and most diverse civic divisions, L Ward stretches from the Tansa Pipeline between Ghatkopar and Vikhroli to the Mithi River, and from Powai to Sion Creek. Despite its political prominence, the ward continues to struggle with chronic civic issues.
RTI activist and long-time Kurla resident Anil Galgali said persistent neglect has made daily life difficult for residents, citing traffic congestion, encroachments, erratic water supply, garbage mismanagement and recurring dengue outbreaks. He added that delays in civic works, chaos around Kurla station, unfinished Mithi River projects and increasing landslide risks require urgent and permanent solutions.