Leaders of workers’ unions keep the Left in the fray for BMC polls
Hawkers and trade union leader Shailendra Kamble is contesting the election from ward 86 in Marol area of Andheri.
People in queue for casting their vote during Mumbai BMC Polls. (Source: Express Archives) Even as Mumbai has witnessed the debacle of Left-leaning labour unions decades ago, several sections continue to witness the Left leadership leading from the front. A number of these leaders are contesting from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in the ongoing Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election to keep “alive the voice of the working class”.
From seamen’s union to anganwadi workers and from hawkers to domestic workers unions, the workers’ leaders are testing the poll waters while raising the workers’ issues in an election which is witnessing polarisation on the basis of language and religion.
Sugandhi Francis, president of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai Domestic Workers’ Union, is contesting from ward number 115 in Bhandup. Congress, NCP (SP), Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) and Samajwadi Party have extended support to her, as she will take on BJP’s Smita Parab and Jyoti Rajbhoj of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
“For the last 36 years, I have been working in this area, assisting people to solve their day-to-day problems. From encroachment on open gardens to lack of availability of water, me and our union have been in the forefront to sort out problems. The decision to contest election from CPM was taken because we have seen both other sides and they have failed. We are giving the third option to the people,” Francis told The Indian Express.
Manoj Kumar Yadav, General Secretary, Forward Seamen’s Union of India, a national-level trade union leader in the shipping industry and All India Gig Workers Union leader, is contesting from ward number 206 of Sewri – considered as a Thackeray bastion.
Two Sena heavyweights Sachin Padval of Sena UBT and Nana Ambole of Shinde Sena are contesting from this ward.
Yadav, while attacking the ruling alliance for allegedly failing to provide civic amenities to Mumbai, said that Sewri is known as the heart of Mumbai, belonging to the original residents of the city.
“My ward belongs to the workers. It is my duty to raise their voice and their problems. From ensuring the redevelopment of slums through cluster development and ensuring the timely delivery of civic amenities will be my priority,” said Yadav.
The dominant Left and socialist trade unions from mills and government bodies controlled Mumbai’s politics till late 70s. With the rise of Shiv Sena, formed by late Bal Thackeray, the dominance was successfully challenged. The collapse led to the overall downfall of the Left movement in the state. Even as the workers’ unions continue to work effectively in respective domains, the collective electoral impact has never been witnessed.
In Mankhurd, Sangita Kamble, general secretary of Anganwadi workers union, is contesting from ward number 143, where a total of 18 candidates are in the fray.
“After working among Anganwadi, Asha workers, hawkers, naka workers for 22 years, I thought it was time to take a step forward. I decided to contest from the CPM because none of the established parties have delivered what they promised,” said Kamble.
Hawkers and trade union leader Shailendra Kamble is contesting the election from ward 86 in Marol area of Andheri.
“We believe in raising the issues that matters and not to fall for agenda set by parties like BJP or Shiv Sena. We work among workers, we work for them and it is our duty to amplify their voice. The election campaign is a platform for us to bring important issues in front of public. We plan to use it to keep the voice of working class alive,” said Kamble.
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