Maharashtra civic polls: Congress candidate Nassima Juneja in Kamathipura promises redevelopment push

MUMBAI: Nassima Juneja, the Congress candidate from Ward 213, waits at the gate of JJ Dharamshala with her husband, former corporator Javed Juneja, eyes fixed on the road for star campaigner and Mumbadevi MLA Amin Patel.Once Patel arrives, the rally sets off on foot towards Clare Road, trailed by an AV van looping a video of Javed Juneja listing what he describes as his development work: the upgradation of two municipal schools into English-medium Mumbai Public Schools, a sewage treatment plant, a 100-mm stormwater drain, and the initiation of two multi-specialty hospitals. The video buffers every few seconds, freezing mid-sentence before catching up.

At each major junction, party workers garland the netas and drape shawls over them. A mix of slogans ring out, though “Amin Patel hum tumhare saath hai” consistently drowns out the rest.As the procession enters Kamathipura, Patel pauses to play an impromptu over of cricket with children. Asked about the ward’s biggest demand, Javed Juneja points to redevelopment, citing enthusiasm for Mhada’s cluster redevelopment scheme promising 500-sq-ft homes and Rs 25,000 monthly rent during construction.

Residents flag more immediate concerns.A shopkeeper calls parking the most pressing issue, describing British-era lanes clogged with rows of parked bikes and open spaces occupied by hawkers and construction debris. Juneja attributes the chaos to a surge in two-wheeler ownership aided by easy loans, suggesting cities consider a Singaporestyle model where parking proof is required before buying a vehicle. In a nearby slum cluster, garment workers stitch in packed rooms.

Juneja points to repaired BMC chawls and to a dispensary allowed, on a pilot basis, to operate till 10 pm.Back on the main road, trash lines both sides as residents throw garbage out of windows. Patel blames entrenched habits but claims improvement, saying filth is “10% of what it used to be” and that redevelopment will include garbage chutes linked to collection points. By late afternoon, the caravan—now around 100 to 150 people—halts again for garlanding. In all, the netas received 23 shawls and 27 garlands during the day’s campaigning.