In a remarkable display of resilience, Shiv Sena candidate Ashwini Hande is campaigning for a second term as a BMC corporator from Mumbai's Ghatkopar West, all while continuing her ongoing treatment for cancer. The 46-year-old, representing Ward 128, was diagnosed with the disease in October 2023.
A Fight on Two Fronts: Health and Public Service
Despite undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, Ashwini Hande remains actively involved in her constituency. Her treatment is ongoing, with saline administered every 21 days. Balancing the demanding schedule of medical care and election campaigning, Hande asserts her determination to continue serving the area where she has built a strong grassroots connection over the years.
Redevelopment of Slums: The Core Campaign Promise
Hande's ward is predominantly composed of slum clusters, including challenging hilly areas. She has identified redevelopment as her key priority. "My constituency is 70% slums and there is a need for redevelopment," Hande stated. However, she highlighted a significant hurdle: the area falls under a funnel zone, which restricts building height and discourages builders from taking up projects.
To address this, she has approached Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. According to Hande, the government may consider a cluster development model for the area in the near future. During her previous tenure, she oversaw the conversion of most roads in the ward to concrete.
Family Support and Pending Civic Issues
Her husband, Deepakbaba Hande, who himself won the 2012 corporation poll as an independent, praised her dedication. "She is a fighter and a dedicated, selfless worker with a good connect with all voters in this area," he said. He also pointed out pending civic issues, primarily concerning drinking water supply.
"There is some drinking water problem which will be resolved once she comes back as corporator, as there was no public representative for the past nearly four years," Deepakbaba Hande explained. He added that significant progress has been made in extending sewer and toilet lines to about 70% of homes on the hills, reaching "till the last hutment on the hilltop."
In her bid for re-election, Ashwini Hande faces a rival from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Her campaign is a testament to her commitment to her constituents, proving that her spirit of service remains undiminished by personal health challenges.
