Where the rich and famous vote

Voters who will be split between Murli Deora and Jayavantiben Mehta. A tough choice for a constituency that has wined and dined with Deora — who hasn’t been to his posh residence on Peddar Road. Over the years, Deora (a three-time Congress-elect from South Mumbai) has built plenty of social goodwill that only his party’s poor performance at the Centre eroded. In 1996, he had to face the musicfor his party and Deora lost to BJP’s Jayavantiben Mehta by over 20,000 votes.

Not that Mehta is a newcomer to the city. Previously a suburban MP, she defeated Deora in the 1996 elections. She may not be as socially active as Deora but in her favour is her party’s strong performance in the State. The BJP-Shiv Sena Government has pleasantly surprised Mumbaikars who from Congress loyalists have been converted into accepting change. But if they have accepted change its been unwittingly. Their votes are driven by issues that concern them, and the nation — well it runs on its own momentum. The younger, hip and happening crowd for instance, votes when they are not in London or Los Angeles. And even then, their logic is unique. Says Shweta Shetty, singer and resident of Malabar Hill for over 30 years, “I have voted only once in my life and that was for Rajiv Gandhi.” Why she wouldn’t say but now, she knows who she will not vote for more than who she will vote for.

“I don’t understand how anactor-turned-politician matters. Of course, Vinod Khanna might be a good actor, but that does not necessarily mean that you will be a good candidate. Good looks or good personality cannot fool people. We need a nice government.”

If Shweta does not spare Khanna, who lives in Malabar Hill, then why should the residents of this constituency spare anyone. A.D. Singh, party-maker and manager of the city’s most rocking bar — Copa Cabana — certainly does not. “I have voted only twice and that was for an independent candidate. Most of the time I am voting not for some party but against some party.” The thirty-something resident of Oomer Park, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Singh’s logic is echoed again and again.

For instance, law and order has become an issue only because blood has been spilt on their doors. “A few days ago, someone was killed right outside my door. This happened just five minutes away from the CBI office and not 10 seconds away from the Governor’s house. There is so much police bandobast around!Today it was someone else, tomorrow it could be us,” says Hasina Jethmalani, wife to high-flying lawyer Tony Jethmalani. She has voted once and now is looking for a government that will protect its citizens better. She adds, “Every individual needs to take his or her voting rights seriously. That can get the right person to power, someone who can help us.”The older generation is a bit more serious about helping themselves. Builder Niranjan Hiranandani has been voting from this constituency for 26 years and believes that every vote counts. But he accepts that most people don’t share his enthusiasm. Says Hiranandani: “Basically rich people neglect voting.

They think that it is not worth it. Even the middle classes don’t vote so much. If everyone took their duty seriously we would have a lot better society.” Ex-sheriff of Mumbai and resident of Napean Sea Road, Nana Chudasama even remembers times when friends of his would plan picnics on voting dates — as it was a holiday. A point of view that he doesnot subscribe to. Known for his hard-hitting, tongue-in-cheek banners on Marine Drive, Chudasama has been voting for 35 years and is still excited about the forthcoming elections.

“The individual vote counts because ultimately it is the individual vote which amounts to the total vote. I vote as I want the democratic system to continue.”

And in a democracy there exists freedom of speech. Which is why when a 30-year-old resident of Malabar Hill asked “What elections?” his friends did not bat an eyelid.