A significant number of residents in Mumbai's Kandivli area are preparing to send a powerful message in the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election. People from the Lokhandwala Complex in Ward No. 27 have declared their intention to choose None of the Above (NOTA), driven by a deep-seated feeling of being ignored by political parties for years.
Unheard Concerns and Unknown Faces
The disillusionment stems from a dual problem: persistent civic neglect and unfamiliar candidates. The residents assert that their major concerns, including illegal hawking, security lapses, and chronic traffic congestion, have never been seriously addressed by their political representatives. Compounding this frustration is the lineup of candidates for the ward, whom many describe as "unknown" faces.
In a notable shift, the BJP replaced former corporator Surekha Patil with a new candidate, Neelam Gurav. The Congress's alliance partner, the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, has fielded Sangeeta Shingade, while the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has also put forward a contender. However, these changes have failed to inspire confidence among the electorate.
The Core Reasons Behind the NOTA Sentiment
According to Santy Shetty, a resident and founder of the citizen group We All Connect, the move towards NOTA is a direct result of a complete lack of accountability. "The ward's reservation for the second time (OBC-Women) has made some candidates ineligible," Shetty explained, highlighting a systemic issue. He pointed out that fundamental problems like illegal hawking and traffic have been overlooked for years, regardless of which party was in power.
Another resident, Kumar P, provided a concrete example of failed promises and political opportunism. He mentioned the long-delayed Development Plan (DP) road for the region. "The DP road, which was promised in the region, was not built for several years," Kumar said. "Now that work has started, mostly because of a strong corporate push, every politician wants to take credit for it."
Everyday Struggles and a Call for Fair Play
The daily reality for these Mumbaikars is one of grueling commutes and infrastructural failure. Kumar P highlighted the severe traffic gridlock, noting that residents take nearly an hour to travel the last 2 kilometers from the highway to their homes, a situation that is only deteriorating. This tangible impact on quality of life fuels their protest.
There is also a sense of unfairness regarding the electoral process itself. Some residents suggested that the BMC could have reshuffled the lottery system to prevent the same ward from receiving identical reservation (OBC-Women) in two consecutive elections, which they feel limits voter choice and candidate eligibility.
The collective decision to opt for NOTA is not taken lightly. It represents a calculated protest by citizens who feel their votes have been taken for granted. They hope this bold step will force political parties to recognize their plight and field accountable, accessible candidates who will genuinely work on solving the ward's chronic issues.
