Exploring the fierce competition for the Mumbai North Central seat

The streets of Bandra east in Mumbai have been witnessing political show of strength and traffic snarls as candidates make their way with hundreds of their supporters to the Collectors office in KherwadiDays after Congress candidates from Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha seat Varsha Gaikwad filed her nomination senior public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam held a massive roadshow on Friday before filing his nomination from the seatThe Mumbai North Central seat in Lok Sabha elections 2024 has become vital to the impending poll clash between prominent personalities as Mumbais political climate heats upThe Political parties are preparing to fight hard for the crucial Mumbai North Central seat which has a big influence on the political dynamics of the city as the upcoming elections in Mumbai nearThe BJP has announced Ujjwal Nikam as its candidate from the seat setting the way for a direct contest with Congress the party has fielded Varsha Gaikwad from the seatAlso Read Maharashtra Lok Sabha Elections 2024 The Mumbai South seat understanding citys highprofile constituencyThe BJP chose Nikam over Poonam Mahajan who is the sitting MP from the Mumbai North Central seat Poonam Mahajan had defeated the incumbent Congress MP Priya Dutt the daughter of the late actor and Congress leader Sunil Dutt in 2014Ujjwal Nikam was instrumental in securing the death sentence for Ajmal Kasab accused in the 2611 terror incidentNikam received the Padma Shri in 2016 after representing the state in the 2611 Mumbai terror attack trial and a number of other historic cases Since he is a resident of Jalgaon the BJP was eager to field him from the district in the 2019 Lok Sabha electionsUjjwal Nikam will now face Varsha Gaikwad the head of the Mumbai Congress unit in the Lok Sabha elections 2024 from the Mumbai North Central seatVarsha Gaikwad the MLA from Dharavi has expressed confidence in winning the seatVarsha Gaikwad a former Maharashtra minister has been a fourtime MLA from the Dharavi assembly constituency in Mumbai that she currently representsGaikwad had expressed interest in contesting the Mumbai SouthCentral seat which was earlier held by her late father Eknath GaikwadThe Maha Vikas Aghadi MVA comprising the Uddhav Thackerayled Shiv Sena UBT Congress and the Sharad Pawarled Nationalist Congress Party NCP has shown support towards Gaikwads candidatureMeanwhile amid speculations about former IPS officer Sanjay Pandey contesting from the Mumbai North Central seat as an independent candidate Pandey on Wednesday declared his decision to temporarily withdraw from politicsMumbai North Central is a dynamic area with a diversified population that represents a wide range of ethnicities and socioeconomic statuses The constituency embodies the vibrant spirit of Mumbais cosmopolitanism from the quiet neighbourhoods to the busy streets of Bandra and KharProminent political candidates leading the electoral race are fighting to reflect the hopes and worries of the voters Prominent figures supported by their achievements and commitments to further growth are wellpositioned to maintain their postsThe conversation is dominated by topics that are important to permanent residents of the constituencyA local resident from the constituency said The constituency needs good infrastructure better roads and footpaths There is a scope of a better healthcare system education environmental sustainability and urban planning and developmentAnother resident from the constituency raised issues of highquality amenities for a better livingHe said The properties in some parts of Mumbai North Central including Bandra and Khar are skyrocketing and if a person is spending that much of his savings one needs better government facilities There is frequent traffic congestion in many parts of the areas of this seat and it must be resolved The routine cleanliness of the streets and public spaces is also an issue here that must be attendedThe political campaigns are expected to heat up as the voting for the seat nears with contenders travelling the entire length and breadth of the constituency holding public gatherings grassroots outreach events and online campaigns to win over the votesMumbai will vote in the fifth and final phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 and it will take place on May 20 2024 encompassing 13 constituencies including Mumbai North Mumbai North West Mumbai North East Mumbai North Central Mumbai South Central Mumbai South Washim Dindori Nashik Palghar Bhiwandi Washim Thane