Smaller parties put up a brave fight in Mumbai — for a cause

The party, founded by Uttarakhand-based Suresh Nautiyal in 2019, has the tagline — “towards making the country ecologically and politically green”. Its candidate Sarika Dabral told The Indian Express, “Our party is fighting on six principles, including sustainable development and women empowerment. I am an environmental activist and was also associated with the Save Aarey movement. When some of my friends who also participated in the Aarey protest were put behind bars, I realised we need power to make changes.”

Dabral said that she came to know about the party through social media. The party is fielding candidates in Mumbai, Delhi, Punjab and Chandigarh. Dabral added, “Some of our nominations have been rejected by the Returning Officer (RO). When it comes to bigger parties, the RO generally is not as strict about rules that they are for smaller parties.”

Preparation of voters list at the Election Commission office in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday. (Express photo by Amit Chakravarty )

Another party contesting from the North West constituency is the Right to Recall Party that was started by IIT Delhi graduate and anti-corruption activist Rahul Mehta in 2019. Mehta and his companions wanted to form a political party that would give publicity to the draft of Right to Recall laws for lawmakers.

RRP’s candidate Manoj Nayak, an estate agent from Goregaon, told The Indian Express, “If more than 10 per cent of the population in a constituency express “no confidence” in the person they have elected, the person should be recalled. This will ensure that lawmakers cannot take the electorate for granted.”

Nayak, said that in the past he was associated with BJP and left after the party started taking in corrupt outsiders against whom they protested in its fold. When asked about how he is reaching out to the people, he said that smaller parties do not have funds like national parties to take out rallies.

“I may even have to mortgage my house to raise money for campaigning. However, even as part of my work on a daily basis when I meet people, I ask them to vote for me.” He added, “Even though we may be a small party, our motivation to work is high.”

From Mumbai North East seat, covering the eastern suburbs, the Viro Ke Vir Indian Party (VVIP) that only has former army persons as candidates has fielded Bhopinder Singh Saini.

The party was formed on February 14, 2023 by Gujarat-based Laljibhai Bodar. “Many parties ask for votes in the name of soldiers but don’t do anything for them. Hence, I decided to start this party that will give tickets to only former army men who will work for the betterment of the country,” said Bodar.

Another party contesting from Mumbai is the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Party (SVPP) from Mumbai North constituency, comprising the northern suburbs of Mumbai that was investigated by the Income Tax Authorities two years ago. In some cases, hawala operators rope in their contacts to register a political party. Donations are then made to these “political parties”, which would then claim 100 per cent tax exemption.

When contacted for his comments on the IT action against the party, SVPP candidate Kamlesh Vyas said that he was busy with some work and would call back later.

Another party contesting the polls from Mumbai North seat is the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) that sounds similar to but is different from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP) and the Congress party.

Prabhakar Raut, a party member, said that it was their party founded by advocate Annasaheb Patil in 2009 that was the original “MVA”. “After the Shiv Sena split, when the three-party alliance was named Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi, our founder told them that the name already belonged to our party. Following the objection, they changed their name to Maha Vikas Aghadi. We are a poor party and are fighting for the betterment of the state,” Raut said.