In Mumbai, the Congress is taking identity politics to the next level this election season. For Maharashtra’s assembly polls on October 15, the party is taking a clinical approach to the idea of balanced representation by promoting the city’s candidates as Muslims, North Indians, Dalits, Gujaratis and more.
At the Congress’ city head office, party workers have prepared a list of all candidates standing for the election from Mumbai’s 36 constituencies. The list, being handed out to the media, categorically divides the candidates by religious or regional identity: ten Maharashtrians, seven north Indians, six Dalits, five Muslims, four Gujaratis, three South Indians and one Christian. Among the Maharashtrians, three belong to the Agri community of farmers and fishermen.
“And you must note that among the north Indians, we have two Punjabi Sikhs as well,” said Janardhan Chandurkar, the Mumbai Congress president. “The selection of candidates has been adjusted based on voter population in each constituency.”
After its split with the Nationalist Congress Party on September 25, the Congress will be fighting its first Maharahstra state election alone in 15 years. In Mumbai, which has 36 constituencies, the Congress now has 19 extra seats that it once had to share with its ally.
“Since we will be contesting all 36 seats this time, Sonia [Gandhi] ji has been very clear that all sections of society should be given proper representation,” said Chandurkar. “We are trying to maintain a perfect balance to counter the sons-of-the-soil agenda of the Sena, by projecting Mumbai as a cosmopolitan city.”
Traditionally, the Congress vote bank has largely been Dalits and Muslims, but this year, the party is consciously spelling out more categories of identity. “During the Lok Sabha election, the Modi factor was very strong, and Gujaratis voted for Modi en masse,” said Chandurkar. “We want to tell people that such identity politics is not in the interest of the nation.”
On the ground
Candidates, on their part, are not necessarily conscious of the city headquarters’ agenda of balanced representation.
In Vikhroli, a northern Mumbai constituency that has been with the NCP for the past 15 years, the Congress has given a ticket to Sandesh Mhatre, an Ayurvedic doctor and a former student activist from the Agri community. His father, Balasaheb Mhatre, was awarded an Agri Bhushan Puraskar for founding a prominent school and college in Vikhroli.
“Mhatre is definitely an example of a successful Agri, but his election campaign will try to appeal to all communities in the constituency,” said Mandar Shelar, Mhatre’s media coordinator.
In Jogeshwari East, former Congress corporator and now MLA candidate Rajesh Sharma feels the same about his status as a North Indian. “Yes, Mumbai is a cosmopolitan city, but I have never worked as a North Indian,” said Sharma. “My campaign focus is going to be the problems with housing, water and sanitation in this area.”
Candidates like Ashok Sutrale, who is contesting the election from the Gujarati-dominated Borivali constituency, are more concerned about countering the Modi wave. Sutrale’s main opponent is Vinod Tawde, a senior BJP leader who is being touted as a potential chief ministerial candidate.
“As a Gujarati, I have worked to bring Gujaratis and Maharashtrians in this constituency together,” said Sutrale. “But I think the greater advantage I have is that Tawde is not a Borivali resident, while I have lived here all my life.”
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At the Congress’ city head office, party workers have prepared a list of all candidates standing for the election from Mumbai’s 36 constituencies. The list, being handed out to the media, categorically divides the candidates by religious or regional identity: ten Maharashtrians, seven north Indians, six Dalits, five Muslims, four Gujaratis, three South Indians and one Christian. Among the Maharashtrians, three belong to the Agri community of farmers and fishermen.
“And you must note that among the north Indians, we have two Punjabi Sikhs as well,” said Janardhan Chandurkar, the Mumbai Congress president. “The selection of candidates has been adjusted based on voter population in each constituency.”
After its split with the Nationalist Congress Party on September 25, the Congress will be fighting its first Maharahstra state election alone in 15 years. In Mumbai, which has 36 constituencies, the Congress now has 19 extra seats that it once had to share with its ally.
“Since we will be contesting all 36 seats this time, Sonia [Gandhi] ji has been very clear that all sections of society should be given proper representation,” said Chandurkar. “We are trying to maintain a perfect balance to counter the sons-of-the-soil agenda of the Sena, by projecting Mumbai as a cosmopolitan city.”
Traditionally, the Congress vote bank has largely been Dalits and Muslims, but this year, the party is consciously spelling out more categories of identity. “During the Lok Sabha election, the Modi factor was very strong, and Gujaratis voted for Modi en masse,” said Chandurkar. “We want to tell people that such identity politics is not in the interest of the nation.”
On the ground
Candidates, on their part, are not necessarily conscious of the city headquarters’ agenda of balanced representation.
In Vikhroli, a northern Mumbai constituency that has been with the NCP for the past 15 years, the Congress has given a ticket to Sandesh Mhatre, an Ayurvedic doctor and a former student activist from the Agri community. His father, Balasaheb Mhatre, was awarded an Agri Bhushan Puraskar for founding a prominent school and college in Vikhroli.
“Mhatre is definitely an example of a successful Agri, but his election campaign will try to appeal to all communities in the constituency,” said Mandar Shelar, Mhatre’s media coordinator.
In Jogeshwari East, former Congress corporator and now MLA candidate Rajesh Sharma feels the same about his status as a North Indian. “Yes, Mumbai is a cosmopolitan city, but I have never worked as a North Indian,” said Sharma. “My campaign focus is going to be the problems with housing, water and sanitation in this area.”
Candidates like Ashok Sutrale, who is contesting the election from the Gujarati-dominated Borivali constituency, are more concerned about countering the Modi wave. Sutrale’s main opponent is Vinod Tawde, a senior BJP leader who is being touted as a potential chief ministerial candidate.
“As a Gujarati, I have worked to bring Gujaratis and Maharashtrians in this constituency together,” said Sutrale. “But I think the greater advantage I have is that Tawde is not a Borivali resident, while I have lived here all my life.”
