In the bustling electoral landscape of Mumbai, a high-stakes battle is unfolding in Ward No. 62 of Jogeshwari West. Shiv Sena candidate Raju Pednekar is campaigning vigorously, determined not to repeat the past after a narrow and complex victory in 2017 against his current opponent's father.
From Runner-Up to Corporator: A Political Turnaround
The backdrop of this election is a tale of political fate. In the 2017 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, Raju Pednekar lost to Changez Multani, the father of his current rival, Zeeshan Multani. Multani senior won as an independent candidate in what was then an OBC-reserved seat, which is now an open constituency.
However, Pednekar's political fortunes changed dramatically when Multani was later disqualified after his caste certificate was declared invalid. As the runner-up, Pednekar seized the legal opportunity. He petitioned the court to be declared the winner and succeeded, assuming the corporator's position without the need for a by-election.
Door-to-Door Campaign with a Message of Unity
This time, Pednekar is leaving nothing to chance. His campaign is a whirlwind of activity through the narrow lanes of slums and chawls in the Muslim-dominated ward. "I want to take every community along with me," he asserts, emphasizing a platform of inclusive development.
He has made specific promises to voters, focusing on local issues that affect daily life. His key pledges include resolving chronic traffic problems, tackling heavy road encroachment, and developing a garden in Vaishali Nagar.
The campaign's tone was set just before a recent walk, where children wearing Eknath Shinde cut-out masks watched a street play (nukkad natak) outside Pednekar's office. The play's core message urged voting beyond community lines.
Voter Sentiment: Development Over Party Lines?
During his 2- to 3-hour padyatras, Pednekar is met with flower garlands, blessings from elders, and handshakes. Conversations with residents reveal a pragmatic voting calculus. Many Muslim voters in the area see supporting Pednekar on a Shiv Sena (Shinde) ticket as a compromise for a corporator they know and who has delivered.
Akhtar Sheikh, a chawl resident, acknowledges knowing the Multani family's work but states, "But as a corporator, Pednekar came rushing for us." Another resident, Ayub Bagad, dismisses party affiliation as a primary concern. "He brought a school here, a hospital here. He even helped us during emergencies at private hospitals," Bagad explains.
Resident Syed Mehdi Raza credits Pednekar with fostering peaceful co-existence (bhaichara) among communities. Pednekar himself contrasts his approach with that of the UBT faction, claiming, "In today's time, Sena UBT is dependent on the votes of one community. I am asking for votes from all communities."
The Backstory: A Recent Exit from Sena UBT
Pednekar's current allegiance to the Shinde faction is a recent development. His exit from the UBT camp came after he was overlooked for a ticket in the Versova assembly constituency. The party instead gave the ticket to Haroon Khan, who went on to win with over 65,000 votes, marking the Shiv Sena's first elected Muslim candidate in 25 years.
Pednekar contested that election as an independent candidate and secured close to 7,000 votes. This experience now fuels his determined campaign in Ward 62, where he aims to secure a full term on his own merits, leveraging his record and a carefully crafted message of unity and development.
