Mumbai: Ashok Patil battles ‘traitor’ tag in Bhandup West turf war of Senas

MUMBAI: "My rivals are calling me a 'gaddar' (traitor) and this is all nonsense," points out 64-year-old Ashok Patil during a break from going door-to-door with folded hands. He greets local residents-many of whom he has known since his childhood for nearly six decades-in the hilly area of Bhandup (West) constituency. The path rises sharply from Quarry Road to Pratap Nagar and then Hanuman Tekdi, with a steep hike, yet the politician continues the trail, attempting to remove the label of 'traitor' placed on him and his Shiv Sena colleagues who support Eknath Shinde.

His local opponent, Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Ramesh Korgaonkar, claims Patil's campaign promises are merely an "eyewash" and many traditional voters in Bhandup will "remain nishthavanta (loyal) to Uddhav Thackeray."

Visibly upset by the "nishthavanta (loyalty)" remark, Patil concludes his campaign at a sabha in Hanuman Tekdi and takes charge of the microphone to address voters. "My entire life was serving Shiv Sena and you voted for me when I had the dhanushya baan (bow and arrow) symbol and still have the same party symbol for the Nov 20 poll. How can I be called a 'gaddar' by rivals (didn't name anyone) when I am loyal to the original Shiv Sena party? I continue to work on the principles and ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray."

The Bhandup-born former MLA, who started from humble beginnings, informs voters about "neglect in the constituency over the past five years," citing deteriorating water supply systems, drainage, toilets, and other facilities in predominantly slum areas.

Local resident Sakharam Bhosale, attending one of Patil's public meetings, states: "Water and electricity are sensitive issues in our slum pockets. Some years back, we went on a rampage when there were power outages and water cuts. Besides, the cost of living expenses have escalated recently, with tomatoes at Rs 100 a kg and garlic Rs 400. Whoever becomes the MLA should influence the govt to control inflation. Merely giving us good roads does not address our needs."

A shop owner mentions that regardless of which Sena is in power, local troublemakers continue to harass shopkeepers, with insufficient police presence in Bhandup West's hilly regions. "Marathi votes will split," said a 75-year-old citizen after greeting the candidate at his home. "There is a three-cornered fight between SS, SS (UBT), and MNS. It could be a narrow margin victory," he claimed.

Deepak Brid, a third-generation Bhandup resident, raises concerns about mobile towers appearing on hills near settlements, presenting health risks to locals. "We want maximum SRA schemes and shifting people to a better environment with basic amenities," he said, while noting that Hanuman Tekdi contains over 3,000 rooms across the hill. Women voters gather in large numbers at Patil's speeches. "We are pleased with Patil Dada as he has ensured 33,000 women beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin scheme in this constituency," said voter Arati Haribhakt. A woman watching Patil from afar smiles. "Whoever wins the election, for women voters, it's a win-win situation anyway. We will get money flowing into our bank accounts uninterruptedly be it Rs 2100 or Rs 3000..."


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