Maharashtra Election: Shiv Sena's Mangesh Kudalkar Ready To Claim Kurla Seat For Third Term

Kurla constituency is known as a crucial constituency connecting Mumbai city with the eastern suburbs. It features densely populated areas, a diverse social fabric, and the central part of the entire Mumbai city.

Due to the presence of the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), a hub of numerous establishments, Kurla sees a massive influx of people from all directions, making traffic congestion and narrow, crowded roads its primary issues.

Photo Credit: https://x.com/mlamangesh

Shiv Sena's Mangesh Kudalkar, who has won this constituency twice, is now testing his prospects in the 2024 assembly election under the Shiv Sena banner led by Eknath Shinde.

Kudalkar's Dominance in the Constituency

With his extensive public connections, dynamism, readiness to help, availability during crises, and development work in the Kurla area, Mangesh Kudalkar is aiming for a hat-trick victory from this constituency. Beginning his career as an ordinary Shiv Sainik, Kudalkar rose to the position of MLA through his hard work and dynamism.

By winning two consecutive elections in 2014 and 2019, he established his dominance in this constituency. During the 2022 split in the Shiv Sena, Kudalkar supported Eknath Shinde, who subsequently announced Kudalkar's candidature from Kurla, launching Shiv Sena's campaign for this constituency. Shinde is seen energetically supporting Kudalkar.

Resolving Issues for Swadeshi Mill Workers

Kudalkar has focused on resolving constituency issues, notably the problem faced by Swadeshi Mill workers. This mill has been shut for 24 years, and the salaries of its workers have been pending for the same duration. With the mill being liquidated, the workers were left in distress.

Kudalkar made dedicated efforts to resolve the workers' salary issues, winning their support. A flyover has been constructed over the Sant Rohidas Udyan on the Eastern Expressway in Ward 151, reducing traffic congestion at the SG Barve Junction.

Construction of Tilak Nagar Community Centre

Through Kudalkar's initiative, a community centre with a seating capacity of 500 was constructed in Tilak Nagar in the Kurla constituency. This community centre has become a convenient venue for locals for educational, cultural, and wedding events.

In the Nehru Nagar area of Kurla, Kudalkar also facilitated the opening of a municipal school, providing affordable education for the area's working-class residents. The beautification and renovation of the Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar Maidan in Shiv Srishti, a major ground in the constituency, have been completed due to Kudalkar's efforts.

Effective Implementation of Various Schemes

Since becoming Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde has focused on transforming Mumbai, launching initiatives such as Hinduhriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Apala Davakhana, Mumbai Beautification, and the Deep Clean Drive.

Shinde himself took to the streets to participate in the city's cleanliness drive, involving local representatives, school students, and volunteers, turning the initiative into a movement.

In Kudalkar's Kurla constituency, many of these initiatives have been implemented. The "Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin" scheme, a major scheme by Shinde, provides ₹1,500 monthly to eligible women and has become immensely popular.

Across the state, 2.5 crore women have registered for the scheme, with the majority receiving three instalments. Kudalkar has focused on the effective implementation of this scheme in the Kurla constituency as well.

Tensions in Maha Vikas Aghadi

Uddhav Thackeray has nominated Praveena Morajkar for the Kurla constituency. She has served as a councillor in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation.

Although the Maha Vikas Aghadi held a lead in the Kurla constituency in the Lok Sabha elections, Morajkar's nomination has caused considerable discord within the alliance and among local voters.

Some local citizens expressed they would not support her candidacy. Kurla also has a significant Muslim population, which voted for the Maha Vikas Aghadi in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections; however, it is uncertain if they will continue their support in the assembly elections. Consequently, Kudalkar is considered to have an advantage.