Three persons were arrested today from Mumbai North-East Lok Sabha constituency with cash worth Rs 2.60 lakh which was allegedly meant to be distributed among voters, police said.

The trio – S Mangesh, A Sanjay and Abbas were intercepted early this morning when they were travelling in their car at Shivaji Nagar in suburban Govandi.

“During patrolling, police stopped their vehicle and recovered bags filled with cash worth Rs 2.60 lakh,” police official from the Shivaji Nagar police station said.

Police suspect that the cash was meant to be distributed to voters, as the packets in which the cash was kept had Civic Ward numbers written on them.

as reported in Press Trust of India , Mumbai April 30, 2009

If you don’t know already … in spite of having a proper Voters ID and having No Change in my Address for the past twenty five years …Surprisingly! My name was not there on the Voter list this year …I Dint VOTE! I Am A Cipher!… While outside the booth , trying to find my name on the list . I noticed a few who similar problems …

In addition to a poor turnout, probably many who stepped out to exercise their franchise, returned home unhappy from the polling stations. Like Me, he disappointment faced by several hundred voters who couldn’t find their names on the voter list.

“I have been voting for two decades now and both my wife and I have our ID cards intact. Four years ago I shifted my residence from Chembur Camp to Mahul and this year we applied for a change in address. However, our names are nowhere to be found. We have been running from one booth to the other as per directions given to us by the ‘help desk’ stationed in every booth. Its surprising that we could not vote despite having voted in the past,” said a disillusioned businessman, Dayal Wadhvani. Both he and his wife Leena went for a final try at the Guru Nanak High School in Chembur Camp where surprisingly Leena found her name listed but her husband’s name could not be found.

• Vote for Change!
  
• Get Out And Vote!
  
• Be The Change, Go Vote!
  
• Remember 30th April!

Realizing sincerely and early that one has to be the CHANGE rather than just asking for one,  I have been trying to become an above average citizen by doing my bit for the CHANGE that we are all craving so much for. The dhobi list of things that I have been getting myself into in context with the ELECTIONS 2009,  since the past few weeks has been endless…

• Went to “Know Your Candidate” Sessions
• Attended the JAAGO RE Session in Dadar
• Made a full research of the 23/24 candidates of our Mumbai South Constituency. Even went to the level of understanding the kind of Criminal Records that some of our candidates had.
• Added Myself into almost every community related to Chembur on ORKUT , trying to force regular Election News and induce the  ”VOTE for a Change” mood  into the members!
• Blogged my way into everything that just mentioned the “E” word. 
• Preached to friends and relatives about importance of Voting. 

as I said … It is a dhobi List .. It is end less!

Captions Log , Star date: 30 04 2009 , 06:00 hours , VOTING DAY:-
Finally!!! The V-Day. It was almost like an endless rush of adrenalin in me.  I nearly felt like a proud Indian who was finally going to get to serve his country.   Got up at the first ring of my alarm clock ( which has never happened before) , Fresh and equipped with my “VOTERS ID”,  I walked out, with pumped up chest, running the list of candidates through my head for final check, before I could press that crucial button on the Ballot Machine, believing that ” My Vote” was the deciding vote for our COUNRTY .
 I flashed my “Voters ID” at the Booth Level Officer , almost as if it was a pass conferring, my diplomatic immunity to enter any port of this world,  let alone a polling booth outside my society   I had lived for life. The bubble burst…”Tumcha Nav Nahin Aahe!!!”. These four words just sucked the life out of me.  

NO NAME ON VOTERS LIST ! How is that possible … ” I HAVE A VOTERS ID !!!! ”  I frantically searched for my identity in the entire list, both English and Hindi lists, and of other  Poll Booths too  :) ,   hoping that it would have been jumbled around or may be I might have been assigned to a different Father/Family or something (Jokes apart …. My Father’s , fathers name, on his list is some weird name having no relation what-so-ever)… I was like “Jason Bourne” trying to find “WHO I WAS , WHERE I WAS” . The tragic ending to my story was that there was NO HOPE for me. I gave up almost after an hour +  later …

 Completely Embarrassed and Lost. On my walk back home, I was totally deflated, I felt like people were looking through me … I WAS A CIPHER… A NOBODY!!!! (I never wanted to believe, when my wife used to tell me that  :) … NOW it is officially proved)

PS.  I have a VOTERS ID for sale…!

We have complied a list of the candidates contesting from Mumbai South Central Constituency , by collating pieces of candidate information from more than one websites. Please Vote the right candidate.

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Eknath Gaikwad (69, Male) , Congress Party , Elected MP for Mumbai – North West
Eknath Gaikwad is a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India. He represents the Mumbai North Central constituency of Maharashtra and is a member of the Indian National Congress (INC) political party.
He was elected to the Lok Sabha (14th) for the first time in 2004. Prior to that he was elected to three terms as an MLA in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. During his tenure at the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, he served as Minister of State, Housing, Labour, Social Welfare, Women and Child Welfare and Special Assistance for 2 years and Minister of State, Public Health, Medical, Education & Family Welfare, Government of Maharashtra for 5 years. Completed his education upto the 10th Standard.
Contact Details: 219/8557 Kannamwar Nagar Vikhroli (E), Mumbai – 400 083, Tel : 9868180566 /9322508572/(022)25785747

Affidavit details	Year 2009
Educational Qualification	SSC – Maratha Mandir High School, Mumbai
Financial Assets	Rs. 2,410,316
Financial Liabilities	Nil
Criminal Charges	Nil
Mention of PAN number	Yes

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Shweta Parulekar , 42, Female, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena
Shweta Parulekar is General Secretary of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena political party and heads the Womens Wing of the party for Maharashtra. Completed her education upto the Post Graduate level.

Contact Details:
2nd Floor, Matoshri Towers, Padmabai Thakkar Road, Shivaji Park, Mahim, Mumbai 400016, Tel : 9821511555

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Suresh Anand Gambhir, 65, Male, Shiv Sena, Elected MLA for Mahim
Suresh Gambhir has served as an MLA representing the Mahim Assembly Constituency in Mumbai.

Contact Details: Gayatri Apartments, L J Road,Matunga (West), Mumbai, Tel: 9892227113 / 9820815025

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Pravin Barve , 62, Male, Bahujan Samaj Party

Contact Details: B-3/19, M.I.G. Colony,Bandra (East),Mumbai:400051

Affidavit details	Year 2009
Educational Qualification	Inter Arts – Mumbai University
Financial Assets	Rs. 2,30,17,000 + Mercedes benz + Santro
Financial Liabilities	Rs. 20,00,000
Criminal Charges	Case no. 50/2007 under section 13(2) r/w 13(1)(e) of the IPC – Prevention of corruption act 1988 for disproportionate assets.
Mention of PAN number	No

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Dr. Akalpita Paranjpe, 61, Female, Bharat Uday Mission
Dr. Akalpita Paranjpe is a Scientist from the Bhabha Atomic Research Center and is a homeopathic researcher.

Contact Details: C3 Flat No. 4, Sumannager,Chembur West, Mumbai , Tel: (022)25221734/9322264815

Affidavit details	Year 2009
Educational Qualification	MSc. (Physics) – 1969 from Indore University Ph.D (Science) – 1981 from University of Bombay
Financial Assets	Rs. 2,24,80,000 + Tata Indica DLX (2004 model – Rs. 50,000) + Bajaj M-80 (1998 model – scrap value)
Financial Liabilities	Nil
Criminal Charges	Nil
Mention of PAN number	Yes

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Dr. Shailen Kumar Ghosh, 60, Male, Independent
Dr. Shailen Kumar Ghosh has been Head of Biotechnology Process Development Section, Food Technology Division at Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC). He has been a R&D Scientist for 35 years and been the President of the BARC Officers’ Assocation for 4 years. He has served on the Committee of Infrastructure Development & Miscellaneous Projects, Ministry of Environment & Forest, GOI. He was the Founding President of All India Department of Atomic Energy Officer’s Association. He has founded an NGO, ‘Tapovan’ which concerns itself with Old-Age Issues.

Contact Details: D-30 Ellora, Anushakti Nagar,Mankhurd, Mumbai, tel: (022)25567442/9969474239

Affidavit details	Year 2009
Educational Qualification	• Ph.D (Engg) conferred by Jadavpur University, Calcutta (India) • B. Tech (Food Technology & Bio Chemical Engg) from Jadavpur Univ • Bachelor of Science (Honours in Chemistry) from Calcutta University
Financial Assets	Rs. 41,15,500
Financial Liabilities	Nil
Criminal Charges	Nil
Mention of PAN number	Yes

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Anaria Pawar,32, Male, BRP [Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangha]
Contact Details: Dr. Amberdkar Bhavan,Gokuldas Pasta Lane, Dadar (East),. Tel:9821117778

Affidavit details	Year 2009
Educational Qualification	B.Com L.L.B. (2007) Mumbai University
Financial Assets	Rs. 50,86,892.85 + HERO HONDA Passion -2006 Model
Financial Liabilities	Nil
Criminal Charges	“CC 909/PWD/04 under sections 353, 332, 149 of IP CC 354/PS/06 under sections 143 to 149, 323, 341, 347, 354, 506 (2), 34 of IPC 55/PWD/04 under sections 37(3), 135″
Mention of PAN number	Yes

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Dilip Ramchandra Gandhi, 45, Male, Independent
Dilip Gandhi is an Editor by profession

Contact Details: Room No.1, Ground Floor, 8,Gandhi Vihar, Sakharam, Kir Road, Mahim,Mumbai-400016

Affidavit details	Year 2009
Educational Qualification	B.Com – 1985 – RA Podar College, Matunga, Mumbai L.L.B (G)- 2003 – New Law College, Matunga, Mumbai
Financial Assets	Rs. 20,60,000 + 55 gms gold jewellery
Financial Liabilities	Nil
Criminal Charges	Nil
Mention of PAN number	No

Source: ECI

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Karam Hussain Khan, 36, Male, National LokHind Party

Contact Details: Bhartiya Kamala Nagar Zopadpatti, Salt Pan Road, Wadal,Mumbai:400037

Affidavit details	Year 2009
Educational Qualification	5th Standard, Janat AM Vidayalaya, Kungai Basti
Financial Assets	Rs. 8,76,000 + Hero Honda Splendor
Financial Liabilities	Nil
Criminal Charges	Nil
Mention of PAN number	No

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Iqbal Mohammed Sayyed, 54, Male, Rashtriya Janata Dal
Contact Details: 7-B-27, 5th Floor, Juhu Sangita Apartment, Juhu Tara Road, Santacruz (W.),Mumbai-49

Affidavit details	Year 2009
Educational Qualification	B.Sc – Bhagalpur University, Bihar
Financial Assets	Rs. 2,68,17,000 + Ford Ikon (2004 model)
Financial Liabilities	Nil
Criminal Charges	Nil
Mention of PAN number	No

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Kishore Bhagwan Jagtap,41, Male, Rashtriya Samaj Paksh

Contact Details: 41/1660, D.N. Nagar Zopadpatti, Salt Pan Roa, Wadala, Mumbai:400037

Affidavit details	Year 2009
Educational Qualification	B.Com 1995
Financial Assets	Rs. 1,500
Financial Liabilities	Nil
Criminal Charges	Nil
Mention of PAN number	No

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Kishorekumar Vasantrao Jadhav, 35, Male, Independent
Kishorekumar Jadhav is a proprietor of Engineering Classes.
Contact Details: B-P-105-1, Indira Apartment,Bhaktkavi Shivjibhai Devshi Marg, Govandi (W),Mumbai:400088

Affidavit details	Year 2009
Educational Qualification	B.Tech (Petrochemical) Baba Saheb Ambedkar Technological Institute, Maharashtra
Financial Assets	Rs. 41,25,000
Financial Liabilities	Nil
Criminal Charges	Nil
Mention of PAN number	Yes

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Manoj Gaurishankar Singh, 39, Male, Independent
Contact Details : Ekta Co-op, Housing Society Ltd., Kalwa, Room No.7, New Shivaji Nagar, Kalwa, Thane

Affidavit details	Year 2009
Educational Qualification	Graduate
Financial Assets	Rs. 3,68,000
Financial Liabilities	Nil
Criminal Charges	Nil
Mention of PAN number	No

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Mohammed Usman Sheikh ,36, Male, Bhartiya Minorities Surksha Mahasangh
Contact Details : T-59, Room No.34, Vishramwadi,King Circle,Mumbai:400022

Affidavit details	Year 2009
Educational Qualification	SSC – SIFS High School, Mumbai
Financial Assets	Rs. 27,50,000 + Scorpio (2008) + Mini Tempo + 250 gms gold ornaments + Property at Kings Circle, Mumbai-22
Financial Liabilities	Nil
Criminal Charges	Nil
Mention of PAN number	Yes

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Milind Madhav Garud, 44, Male, Republican Party of India
Contact Detials: T-49, tuplondhe Chawl, K.N. Gaikwad Marg,Siddharth Colony, Chembur,Mumbai:400071

Affidavit details	Year 2009
Educational Qualification	6th standard pass
Financial Assets	Rs. 65,000 + Two wheeler
Financial Liabilities	Nil
Criminal Charges	Nil
Mention of PAN number	No

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Raju Sahebrao Dalvi, 38, Male, Independent
Contact Details: 263/6th Floor, Shanti Shivam CHS, Dharavi Cross Road,Mumbai:400017

Affidavit details	Year 2009
Educational Qualification	10th standard (1984)
Financial Assets	Rs. 31,000 + Maruti Omni Model 1995
Financial Liabilities	Nil
Criminal Charges	Nil
Mention of PAN number	Yes

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Rohan Gawru Tambe, 42, Male, Independent
Contact Details: bhim nagar, rahivashi sangh, jherbhai wadia road, parel bhorewada, mumbai -12, near cancer society, Tel (022)32066172/9320853205

Affidavit details	Year 2009
Educational Qualification	B. Com – Ambedkar College of Commerce, Mumbai
Financial Assets	Rs. 3,00,000
Financial Liabilities	Nil
Criminal Charges	Nil
Mention of PAN number	No

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Shahajirao Dhondiba Thorat, 45, Male, Independent

Contact Details: S. Annabhau Sathe Karmabhumi Patrachi (Porbunderwala) Chawl,14/12, Chirag Nagar, Ghatkopar (West), Mumbai:400086

Affidavit details	Year 2009
Educational Qualification	S.S.C fail
Financial Assets	Rs. 85,000 + a 2-wheeler + a 4-wheeler
Financial Liabilities	Nil
Criminal Charges	Nil
Mention of PAN number	No

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Triyuginath Dubey, 42, Male, Independent,
Contact Details: Room No.5, Himmat Nagar, Salt Pan Road,Wadala (East),Mumbai:400037

Affidavit details	Year 2009
Educational Qualification	B.Com – Universty of Allahabad L.L.B – Allahabad University
Financial Assets	Rs. 8,36,500
Financial Liabilities	Nil
Criminal Charges	Nil
Mention of PAN number	No

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Vikas Kumar, 36, Male, Independent,
Contact Details: 702/5, Powai Lake Height Apartment, A.S. Marg, Powai, Mumbai:400076

Affidavit details	Year 2009
Educational Qualification	BSc Physics – St. Xavier’s College, Bombay University (1993) MMS (Marketing) – Sydenham Institute of Management, Bombay University (1995)
Financial Assets	Rs. 18,23,000
Financial Liabilities	Rs. 18,00,000
Criminal Charges	Nil
Mention of PAN number	Yes

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Layeek Ahmed Ansari , 38, Male, Independent
Contact Details: 348, Sangam Nagar, Chikalwadi, Antop Hill, Wadala, Mumbai:400037

Affidavit details	Year 2009
Educational Qualification	Qualification not mentioned
Financial Assets	Rs. 2,40,000
Financial Liabilities	Nil
Criminal Charges	Nil
Mention of PAN number	Yes

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Kamal Narayan Waghmare , 41, Male, Republican Paksha (Khoripa)
Contact Details: Sanjay Smruti Society, Chawl No.12, Room No. 10, Narayan Gajanan Acharya Marg, Chembur, Mumbai:400071

Affidavit details	Year 2009
Educational Qualification	7th Standard – Mumbai
Financial Assets	Rs. 2,36,000
Financial Liabilities	Nil
Criminal Charges	Nil
Mention of PAN number	No

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Rajendra Ganpat Jadhav, 34, Male Prabuddha Republican Party
Contact Details: S.No. 73, Samarth Nagar, Navi Sangvi, Pune-27.

Affidavit details	Year 2009
Educational Qualification	8th Pass
Financial Assets	Nil
Financial Liabilities	Nil
Criminal Charges	Nil
Mention of PAN number	No

Mumbai South Central Constituency Candidate

Dr. Ghosh was Head of Biotechnology Process Development Section, Food Technology Division at Bhabha Atomic research Center, Mumbai. 34 years experience as Scientist in R&D.  He has  Won several awards at national and international level. Best scientist award in BARC and BARC Officer’s Association, Independence Day National Award from National Research Development Center, India and Gold Medal from World Intellectual Property Organisation, United Nations.  He has been featured in the Internationally famed ‘Marquis Who is Who’ in science and technology,  Has got wide experience in administrative activities, framing of organisational policy and constitution and managing and running the organisation.
• Contributed to the industrial growth of our country as a member of a high powerful Committee of Infrastructure Development & Miscellaneous Projects, Ministry of Environment & Forest, GOI.
• Was President of BARC Officer’s Association for 4 consecutive years.
• Founding President of All India Department of Atomic Energy Officer’s Association for 4 consecutive years.
• Founding member of COAST – a Federation of Dept. of Atomic Energy Officers Association and Dept. of Space Research Officers Association.
• Organised a National Seminar on Science Policy, Implementation and Assessment with the aim of initiating a public debate on the topic. Invited the country’s top researchers, academics and industrialists for the same.
• Authored a book (unpublished) to address issues that plague Science and Technology Centers in India.
• Was instrumental in setting up a Hostel for cancer patients coming to Mumbai for treatment
• Donated ambulance to Cancer Patients Aid Association and Tata Memorial Hospital, through BARC Officers Association.
• Organised regular seminars, talks and public debates in the field of medical and healthcare for upliftment of society.
• Spearheaded drive to collect Rs 1 Crore for Tsunami relief work.
• Active ground level participation during relief work after Orissa was hit by a deadly Cyclone.
• Founded an NGO, ‘TAPOVAN’, which aims to build a Home for Senior Citizens, integrate them with society and utilise their expertise and knowledge for the benefit of society.
• Trustee of Jadavpur University Alumni involved with upliftment of educational system and providing financial support to meritorious and needy students

Qualifications:
• Ph.D (Engg) conferred by Jadavpur University, Calcutta (India)
• B. Tech (Food Technology & Bio Chemical Engg) from Jadavpur Univ
• Bachelor of Science (Honours in Chemistry) from Calcutta University

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Election Appeal from Dr Sailen Kumar Ghosh:
SYMBOL: CANDLES
Candidate: Dr Sailen Kumar Ghosh, Retired Scientist of BARC.
Constituency: Mumbai South Central

Jai Jawan Jai Kisan Jai Vigyan, Desh ki Pragati ho Pradhan, De do Sailen Ghosh ko Apna Matdan

Friends,
I am contesting to honour the voice of Mumbaikars. Post 26×11, the entire population of Mumbai sought a change- change in leadership, change in devising mechanism to tackle Terrorism, Corruption, environment protection and issues pertaining to Mumbai.

I am of firm opinion that changes do not come automatically. Innovative mechanism need to be adopted to bring change. I am confident that I will achieve change through implementation of my manifesto indicated below.

I have been a Scientist with India’s Premier R&D Labs for 34 years and a common man all my life and hence what I am saying has its basis to address the issues.

My manifesto:

1. Identify, Isolate and Remove the ills plaguing our society and restricting our growth.
2. Every one looks for security, safety and prosperity and this can be achieved via change in Government Service Conduct Rule and transparency in Government. I will seek to modify the Service Conduct Rules so that anyone and everyone can debate on various Government Policies.
3. While most politicians ask for more funds, my endeavor will be to generate new wealth for the country by means of Innovations in R&D.
4. I want to make scientific bodies accountable to the nation. Their priority should be to work towards making us a Developed Country in all respects.
5. I want to set-up an “Employee Rights Commission”, on the lines of Human Right Commission, to prevent harassment of sincere and honest officials. These upright officials are an asset to the nation and suppressing them will make us hollow from within.
6. I want to set up “Special Courts”, dealing with corruption cases. The aim of these courts will be to give a judgment within 10 days.
7. I want to build a senior citizens home named ‘TAPOVAN’. TAPOVAN will integrate the senior citizens back into society and they will lead a dignified life. This will be achieved by creating forums where youngsters have an opportunity to learn from the experienced and talented senior citizens. Each senior citizen will share his expertise in his chosen domain.
8. I want the giant wheels of government machineries to be run by participation of one and all, rather than leaving it in the hands of politicians and bureaucrats only.

For a change, VOTE FOR CHANGE.

Your vote is valuable; please cast your vote in my favour and give me the mandate to honour your desire to bring about a change.

With warm personal regards

Dr Sailen Kumar Ghosh

Mumbai South Central Constituency Candidate

Educational Qualifications and affiliations :

• M.Sc. (Physics), University of Indore,
• Ph.D. (Science) University  of Bombay, Mumbai
• Scientific officer at BARC from 1970 to 2007
• Member Advisory board for interdisciplinary research, Medical university of Maharashtra,Nasik, Maharashtra
• Project advisor coordinator for research in Homoeopathy (CCRH)
• President BHUMI (National NGO)

Dr. Akalpita Paranjpe is the president of Bhaarat Uday Mission. She is a scientist by profession trained in Physics.  She was born and brought up in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. After completing her post graduation in Physics from University of Indore she was selected in the most prestigious research institution, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). After completing the training course she joined as scientific officer. While working as a scientist in BARC, she did her PhD from University of Bombay, Mumbai. She has worked in variety feilds like liquid crystals, amorphous materials, fractal growths etc.

Dr. Akalpita Paranjpe took Homeopathy as her hobby and later did lot of basic research in Homeopathy and Ayurvedic medicines. She has many publications in reputed international journals not only in the area of Physics but in Homoeopathy also. Her work is well recognized by the researchers in Homeopathy and she is invited for giving talks at national and international levels. She is conducting research projects with the Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH} with students working at Homeopathy College in Mumbai.  Many needy people have benefited from the medical advice and support she has been providing for over 25 years. She has succeeded in solving many complicated cases through her knowledge of Homeopathic and Indian medicines.

With a strong desire and drive to take social work for betterments of society at large and to enter into politics for good governance she took voluntary retirement from her prestigious job as senior scientist in BARC. She has started an NGO called “BHUMI” and is a founder president. For political activity she has applied the organization “Bhaarat Uday Mission “‘as a Political party.

Not exactly a mass gathering, compared to the number of actual eligible voters in Chembur but overall it was a session you missed, if you really were interested in knowing a little bit more about the candidate you will be voting for. The candidates who made themselves available well before time were Dr Sailen Ghosh (Independent) , Shweta Parulkar(MNS) ,Dr. Akalpita PARANJPE (Bharat Uday Mission). Suresh Gambhir (Shiv Sena) did give a late visit and early exit. Out of these candidate who turned up to have themselves known to the few good countrymen who turned up who would you vote for?

1. For punctuality and making themselves available to the people they will lead , the Dr Sailen Ghosh , Shweta Parulkar, Dr. Akalpita Paranjpe are in a tie. They were available from the overture untill last man standing.

2. For knowing his political onions right, making a political impression of ” Yes! This is my man , Its he who could do something!” … would go to Mr. Suresh Ghambir, who came with a drum-roll and exited with a bang. It felt like there was a political presence in the room. Oh! and he did give politically balanced answers to the questions he was thrown at.

3.For making us citizens feel that we have one among us on the hot seat, an individual finally educated and intellect enough to lead us, it would be Dr Sailen Ghosh and or Dr. Akalpita PARANJPE ,They both seemed to be very down to earth. They might lack the political qualities and trachea as of now, but seemed to have a right attitude and drive to change a few things around us.

4. For using the right words and right phrases, giving the best answers right to the point, having a personality and charm to be a leader, Shweta Parulkar seemed to be the right blend with sound education and family background, personality and the required political backing to lead the flock.

Well! The problem is I’m still confused whom to vote for?

What people had to say:

Kishor Mirgh, Maharashtra General Secretary of Akhil Bhartiy Janasangh : “ABS will only  support CLEAN ( NO Criminal Records) Candidates.  Please come and and vote on the 30th. We want to see atleast 80/90% of the citizens casting their votes”.

H.K. Clubwala (Environmentalist & Activists) : “Youngsters should take interest in the functioning of the state. This is for their future. There should be one common language.  English the language that will can take India to the level it should be in. ”

Joboy Thadicaren : “What our city and country as a whole  primarily needs is not political reforms but Police Reforms.”

MP and Congress candidate Eknath Gaikwad is probably the best bet for the Mumbai South-Central Constituency. He is up against Suresh Gambhir, the Shiv Sena MLA from Mahim, and Shweta Parulkar of the MNS, who enjoy relatively less support in these areas. Eknath Gaikwad couldn’t have asked for a better deal as Majority of voters in the Mumbai South-Central comprises the Dharavi assembly constituency (including some parts of Dadar), Sion-Koliwada, Wadala, Mahim (parts of Dadar east), Chembur (East) and Anushakti Nagar assembly constituencies are from lower castes and come from poor backgrounds .

Since 62% of the votes will come from slums, it is obvious that Dharavi will be key in deciding the MP. Besides, the inclusion of traditional Congress strongholds like Anushakti Nagar and Chembur in this constituency after the delimitation will strengthen the party’s hand.

As reported in DNA on 17th April 2009 …read more DNA

So what do you want in exchange of your valuable Vote?
Senior NCP activist Kishore Joshi received a shock recently when a woman in Bhandup asked him to foot her pre-paid mobile bill. “I was campaigning for my party nominee Sanjay Patil in Bhandup when this woman told me she would vote for the party which paid her bill,” Joshi said.

In other areas, candidates were asked by slum voters to pay their electricity bills. Said Chitra Gangurde of Chembur: “They won’t show up till the next elections. So what is the harm if we barter our votes? Most netas have declared assets in crores anyway.”

As reported in TOI 15th April 2009

AGNI (Action for Good Governance and Networking in India … www.agnimumbai.org ) is organising a meet-your-candidate programme on and on April 19 for Mumbai South-Central in Chembur

Venue and Contact:
On 19th March 2009
@ BalVikas Sangh Hall, Near Chembur Post Office , 10:30 am
Contact Mr. RajKumar Sharma (98209 89310) for more details

“We will give our charter of demands to political parties and will tell citizens whether the parties have acceded to them or not. Candidates, too, will have to sign the charter and also commit to a quarterly review of their performance in and out of parliament by citizens’ groups,” said AGNI convener Gerson D’Cunha.

Also,

• April 18 for Mumbai North-Central in Bandra
• April 19 for Mumbai North-East in Mulund.