Lok Sabha elections 2024: No vacations, please vote

Deepak Kesarkar, Rahul Narwekar and Makarand Narwekar at the Radio Club. Pic/Anurag Ahire

The southernmost part of south Mumbai, Cuffe Parade, Colaba and areas around congregated at the Radio Club's Presidency Hall late Tuesday evening. The occasion was a meeting titled ‘Local Voices, Shared Visions' with BJP's Rahul Narwekar, speaker, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, and Guardian Minister (city) Deepak Kesarkar. The overarching message to the merchants and residents assembled there was to vote, not miss the ballot box opportunity by going on vacation on May 20.

Infra eye

Kesarkar attributed the "fast pace of development to the recent change" in government (in Maharashtra). He said, "We see the Coastal Road opening in phases, we also have the Trans Harbour Link. Soon you will be able to commute by Metro." Having pointed to the infra speedometer, Kesarkar also claimed, "This is a city which has the richest of the rich and the poorest of the poor. We cannot forget the latter and hence we also have developments like ‘aapla dawaakhana' for the treatment of the underprivileged, like slum dwellers. We are also concerned about the environment and have seen an improvement in air quality. That is the difference between the Delhi Government and the Maharashtra Government."

Burning coals

The minister further spoke about certain Mumbai landmarks like the Mumbadevi Temple in south Mumbai. "We have Rs 220 crore earmarked for this upgrade and corridor. We have selected other landmarks too, like Haji Ali, Siddhivinayak Temple and the Gateway of India. We are planning amenities at the Gateway which will not hamper the view."

Kesarkar claimed it would be developed with a balance of heritage and beauty. He picked burning south Mumbai coals - the Mahalaxmi race course issue - insisting that a huge park, on the lines of Central Park will made and it will be world-class. "Today, the race course space is accessed mainly by morning walkers and racegoers. After this development, everybody will access it." He also said the Hanging Gardens water reservoir will be repaired and the garden will be maintained.

The minister also claimed that there are plans for more facilities for senior citizens, like in the West and centres that will generate women's employment. "I also hear criticism that all the industries are leaving Maharashtra and going to Gujarat. That is not true. Put all the states that compete with Maharashtra and see their investments… all those will not add up to Maharashtra. Maharashtra is truly ‘Maha," he said to cheers. Kesarkar added that South Mumbai candidate Yamini Jadhav is a "double graduate and will work for the constituency from the bottom of her heart".

Pressing the development button, he said, "Earlier we had 70 airports but today we have 140. We are looking at Mumbai's original inhabitants - the Kolis - and there is an accent on making Koliwadas tourism magnets. We also have something called aspirational toilets which will be a part of the well-developed infrastructure. We must make Mumbai extremely beautiful, together with all of you."

Changing times

Rahul Narwekar said that years ago, Indian youth would struggle for a visa to certain countries. "Today, Indians are preferred and welcomed at immigration counters with pride, dignity and honour. Like PM Narendra Modi said, this is the trailer and there is lots more to come." Narwekar then switched to Mumbai-centric topics stating that "in the next three months, one will be able to go from Colaba to the airport in 25 minutes", which brought forth shouts and loud applause from the SoBo attendees.

He then stated, "In 10 years, we have become the fifth-largest economy and in 2027, we predict we will be the third-largest economy. This is the Indian aspirational society, one which aspires for more." Narwekar had a few choice opinions on, "the pseudo seculars who earlier had destroyed the religious and social fabric. It made the majority feel it was a crime to be from the majority. I can say in the last 10 years, there has not been a major incident of communal violence in the country."

He then zeroed in on voting for candidate Yamini Jadhav, urging his audience to "vote for a candidate that represents the PM's ethos". "We need someone who is accessible and understands our concerns," he concluded.

Rs 220 cr
Amount earmarked for upgrade