Five years ago, the political scene in Chandivali, Maharashtra, witnessed an unexpected shift when the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), led by Prakash Ambedkar, and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) entered the fray, challenging the traditional dominance of Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Their influence in the 2019 election disrupted the expected power balance, ultimately costing the Congress-NCP alliance a narrow victory. In the current election cycle, however, both VBA and AIMIM are notably absent, leaving Shiv Sena’s incumbent MLA, Dilip Lande, facing new contenders, including a Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) candidate and a competitor sharing his name, adding an intriguing twist to the race.
2019 Election Outcome
In the last election, Lande won by a slim margin of 409 votes over Congress leader Mohammed Arif (Naseem) Khan, now the working president of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee. Khan later attributed his narrow defeat to the demands of his statewide responsibilities as deputy opposition leader, which diverted his attention from local constituency issues. This time, Khan has promised to prioritize Chandivali’s pressing needs, particularly the ongoing water supply problems that have troubled residents. Local citizens in Chandivali are hopeful for a change in governance that will address the persistent challenges they face daily. Chief among these concerns are traffic congestion, air pollution due to concrete plants, and the lack of a central fire station.
Problems and Proposed Solutions
Another critical issue for the constituency is the widespread availability of drugs, affecting neighborhoods from the upscale Powai area to the slums of Asalpha. Community leaders and mental health experts have raised alarms about the impact on public safety and quality of life. Despite progress on other fronts, such as establishing a 200-bed public hospital and enhancing transport for blue-collar workers, he admitted that much work remains in tackling the drug problem. Meanwhile, an interview with Hindustan Times quoted Lande who outlined future plans, including relocating over 10,000 families from the banks of the Mithi River to new housing projects being developed in Kohinoor City. He also highlighted efforts to address the area’s chronic traffic issues, which are exacerbated by unauthorized parking. In response, Khan proposed a unique solution to the parking crisis: creating basement parking under garden plots to preserve green spaces while meeting parking demands.
Chandivali Awaits Change
Meanwhile, MNS candidate Mahendra Bhanushali voiced his frustrations with both the Shiv Sena and Congress candidates, criticizing them for making promises without following through. Bhanushali pointed out that while both candidates have discussed similar issues—traffic, water supply, pollution, and slum rehabilitation—for years, little has changed. He noted that one candidate has been addressing these concerns for 20 years and the other for five, questioning their effectiveness in bringing about real change. With Election Day approaching, Chandivali residents are closely observing the candidates’ promises and plans, hoping for a leadership that will tackle these deep-rooted issues and bring meaningful improvements to their daily lives. Whether the residents will see the much-needed progress on their concerns remains to be seen, but the contest in Chandivali is shaping up to be a pivotal one, reflecting the community’s desire for accountable and effective governance.
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