Deepak Nikhalje, brother of underworld don Chhota Rajan, and former don Arun Gawli are among the 21 persons who have filed their nomination for the state Assembly elections so far. Nikhalje, the state vice-president of Republican Party of India (Athawale), filed his nomination from Chembur on Tuesday while Gawli’s papers were filed by his daughter and corporator Geeta Gawli in Byculla.
As many as six independent candidates filed their papers along with two from the BJP in the Mumbai suburban district. Four-time MLA from Ghatkopar, Prakash Mehta, filed his nomination for Ghatkopar East while BMC corporator Ashish Shelar filed his from Vandra East. In Mumbai city, three-time BJP MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha filed his nomination in Malabar Hill while Yashwant Yadav of the Shiv Sena also filed his papers for Byculla.
Gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli is set to contest the elections from Arthur Road Jail. While it remains to be seen whether the absence of ‘Daddy’ will have an impact on his vote-bank, his Akhil Bhartiya Sena (ABS) is determined to give its best shot.
Geeta Gawli is confident that her father’s work in Byculla in the past eight years will help them win. “We intend to focus on three prime issues — unemployment, education and health. Daddy has helped several ‘educated yet unemployed’ youth get jobs in companies, ensured free or subsidised treatment to the poor. He has also ensured the progress of the local schools. We intend to take his work a step further.”
Though the ABS has an alliance with the Shiv Sena in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (where Geeta and her aunt Vandana Gawli are corporators and members of civic committees), Geeta said there will be no alliance with the saffron party for the Assembly polls.
The party looks to begin its campaign by Thursday with house visits. “I, my aunt and mother will start campaigning in areas from where we won the BMC elections. We believe in house-to-house campaign,” said Geeta.
The party is also facing another challenge this year, of getting its voters acquainted with its new election symbol. “Our traditional supporters have always voted for the ‘jahaz’ — aeroplane. Now with the symbol itself having been removed from the list, we have sought fan, kite or ring as our symbol. Whatever be the final choice, we will have to get our voters acquainted with it.”
Deepak Nikhalje is SSC pass with assets worth Rs 3.60 crore, which include two plots in Chembur and land in Satara. He has eight cases pending against him. He has three vehicles – an Innova Scoda, Ford Fiesta and a tractor.
Arun Gawli, 57, is Standard XI pass. He has 11 pending cases against him, with two convictions that have been set aside by higher courts. He has declared moveable assets worth Rs 1.87 crore and immovable assets of Rs 1.90 crore.
