While the large base of minority voters is expected to repose their faith once again in sitting MLA Aslam Shaikh of Congress, a high number of Gujarati and Marwari voters may side with BJP's candidate Ram Barot. Given the neck-and-neck fight, fence-sitters could prove be a major factor in the constituency.
Once a serene suburb, Malad is today a business and entertainment hub dotted with call centres, malls and multiplexes. It has likewise seen a major rise in its youth population, who are primarily employed in the service sector. Both Cong and BJP will seek to woo this segment.
A five-time corporator, Barot is a doctor by profession. "I have served my ward for 25 years. After the (Congress-NGP and Shiv Sena-BJP) alliances broke a few days ago, new candidates have joined the fray. But their 20 days of propaganda will not stand a chance against my 25 years of working experience," said Barot.
He is confident of defeating his opponents, including former ally Sena's Vinay Jain. Though the constituency has a large Marathi population, Sena loyalists may switch over to MNS's Deepak Pawar, as the former has nominated a non-Maharashtrian candidate.
In the Lok Sabha elections, BJP topped the Malad West assembly segment. In the Mumbai North parliamentary seat, of which the segment is a part, Congress's Sanjay Nirupam was defeated by a margin of around four lakh votes by BJP's Gopal Shetty.
Shaikh attributes the Lok Sabha results to the Modi wave and referring to the recent by-polls, where the BJP suffered defeats, he says people have seen the saffron party for what it is—a maker of empty promises.
"I have worked tirelessly for the last five years and brought about several changes. A 15-acre playground, a manmade forest, and renovated buildings and roads across the constituency, these are among my accomplishments. I have the full support of the people," he said.
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