Key Contests : Ram Naik vs Govinda

MANDATE 2004

It is going to be a contest to beat all contests. Bollywood star Govinda (Congress) and Union Petroleum Minister Ram Naik (BJP) will clash in a star-against-politician contest in the North Mumbai constituency for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.

The two candidates have virtually nothing in common, except that they both belong to North Mumbai. Govinda has earned his spurs by flashy dressing and the appellation of "Virar ka chhokra" given to him by film magazines and his only exposure to electoral politics was to support the candidature of his secretary in a local election. His secretary lost.

Naik on the other hand, has represented North Mumbai five times, has a previous track record of political work and an excellent network of party workers in the constituency.

In a constituency consisting of a large slum population spread over an area from Jogeshwari to Dahisar, a large Dalit population and an equally large cosmopolitan urban voters, Govinda and Ram Naik are seeking the favour of the 20-lakh odd voter population. The constituency goes to the polls on 20 April.

The North Mumbai parliamentary constituency has a unique character in that the urban metro portion of it from Jogeshwari to Dahisar is segregated from the rural portion from Nalasopara up to the borders of the Thane Lok Sabha seat.

The issues for the two parts of this constituency are different. For the northern section from Nalasopara to Palghar, the major problem has been railway connectivity to Mumbai city.

This apart, the lack of drinking water, unplanned growth of the suburbs, lack of other basic civic amenities are some of the problems which the voters expect their representative to tackle.

Opinions among constituents are sharply divided on the candidature of Govinda. "The Congress is creating a ridiculous situation by fielding Govinda. He will come to the constituency, walk around with a handkerchief held to his nose, and leave promising to change all that. Nothing will change. Comparing this to the years that Naik has spent nurturing this constituency is absurd", said Ganesh Ramdasi, making it clear whom he would vote for.

KEY ISSUES

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• Civic amenities: A large slum population seeks civic amenities like drinking water
• Electricity supply: The constituency also has a significant rural population that doesn't get enough power
• Rail link: Railway connectivity from Nallasopara to Mumbai city is a serious problem
• Condition of roads: Despite the potential of becoming one of the major industries in the state, the bat