Mumbai 227 volunteers to scout for Independents in slums,societies

The group has roped in over 100 volunteers and ward level coordinators to spread awareness about the initiative across the city.

“We will be covering slums across the city and ask people from the slums to contest civic elections. We feel a voice from the slums will be able to represent their own issues to the outside world in a better manner,” said Vidya Vaidya,member,Mumbai 227. The group also plans to hold public meetings in areas such as Golibar in Santacruz,Hanuman Nagar in Kurla,Barfiwala Road in Andheri,and Juhu lane,some of which are characterised by a majority of slum population.

The group will also be targeting citizens from residential societies and NGOs to contest the upcoming civic elections. The group will soon be launching an ondine platform to fill forms for potential candidates. “We are urging local groups from various areas in the city to join us. The outreach programme intends to spread awareness about the initiative amongst the general public,” said Vidya Vaidya.

The group was launched on October 10 and boasts eminent citizens for panelists such as V Ranganathan,Julio Ribeiro,Anandani Thakoor,Jamshed Mistry,Nayana Kathpalia,Bhagwanji Rayani,Jayant Jain,Ashok Datar,Dolphy D’Souza,O P Monga,Ajay Kaul and K M Aarif. It has started contacting registered housing societies,NGOs and slums,asking them to send their representatives to be part of the voter representative council.

In October,the group’s poster boy,city’s first citizen corporator Adolf D’Souza,parted ways over difference of opinion over the selection process of candidates.