MUMBAI: In the Vikhroli assembly constituency, the political landscape has become more complex with a three way contest between Shiv Sena factions and MNS. Each candidate brings different strengths: Sunil Raut of Shiv Sena UBT with his two-term experience, Suvarna Karanje of Shiv Sena with her local corporator background, and Vishwajeet Dholam of MNS with his grassroots connect.
The constituency’s demographic makeup plays a crucial role in poll outcomes. While Marathi voters form the majority, significant populations of North Indians, Muslims, Gujaratis and South Indians influence voting patterns.
MLA Sunil Raut, brother of Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut, has been legislator for two consecutive terms and is aiming for a hat-trick. However, he faces direct competition from the CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and also MNS. There are indications of a possible split in Marathi votes.
Raut dismisses his rivals, saying they are not the “real Sena.” “It is not a fight against any candidate this time. It is a fight of my real Sena with the ‘gaddar’ (traitor) Sena, which took away our party symbol and also a fight against the govt which filed false cases against our party leaders/ functionaries,” he alleged. “MVA will certainly come to power and the public will make this happen on Nov 20,” he said, adding his constituency has a majority of Uddhav Thackeray loyalists.
Suvarna Karanje was Kanjurmarg corporator and formerly worked with Raut in the undivided Shiv Sena. Sources said she was reportedly unhappy with his style of functioning and quit to join the Shinde Sena. “Raut failed to deliver on promises given to voters last time, and he has not provided any benefit to voters. Eknath Shinde-led party is the real Shiv Sena,” she said. “I have served diligently as corporator, delivering results comparable to an MLA -established a CBSE school in my ward, completed concrete/asphalt surfacing of 35 roads maintai ning them in pristine condition, and installed Mumbai’s first underground waste receptacle. The proposed 100-bed facility worth Rs 127 crore was inaugurated by the Shinde govt,” she said.
The Kanjurmarg dumping ground remains a major issue, handling 80% of Mumbai’s waste. The issue was raised by Raut in an assembly session, where he said residents of eastern suburbs were harrowed with the stench from it, and demanded it be shifted. Despite promises from govt about relocation to Ambarnath, concre te actions are yet to materialise.
There has been opposition to salt pan land being handed over for the Dharavi redevelopment project at the cost of the city’s long-term environmental sustainability. The Union cabinet has, however, approved transfer of salt pan lands of 77 acres in Bhandup East and 120 acres in Kanjurmarg to the state govt. Housing development and redevelopment projects have emerged as crucial talking points. “The salt pan workers’ housing demands remain unaddressed, and water supply issues persist in certain pockets,” a local activist said.
Vishwajit Dholam has been active in MNS since its in ception and has made a mark in social work at the local level in areas like Kannamwar Nagar and Tagore Nagar. It is yet to be seen if his grassroots activities translate into votes and whether he makes a major dent in Marathi votes.
The Vikhroli constituency was formed in 2008 as part of the North East Mumbai Lok Sabha constituency. During its first election in 2009, MNS showed significant success when their candidate Mangesh Sangle won with 53,125 votes. The 2014 election, however, marked a shift when Sena’s Sunil Raut won with 58,556 votes. Raut continued his success by winning the 2019 elections, defeating the NCP candidate by approximately 28,000 votes.