Mumbai North West Lok Sabha constituency was ruled by several popular faces and many political parties since Independence but surprisingly, its voters showed no allegiance towards the saffron brigade.
Mumbai North West Lok Sabha constituency is a constituency represented in the Lok Sabha of the Parliament of India, having approximately 1.6 million voters. The constituency went to poll on 20th May 2024 and counting of votes will be held on June 4th .
The Mumbai North West Lok Sabha constituency stands as a testament to the ever-evolving political landscape and urban dynamics within the bustling metropolis of Mumbai, Maharashtra. This constituency, nestled within the heart of India’s financial capital, has witnessed a rich tapestry of historical events, political transformations, and socio-economic shifts over the years, shaping its identity and character.
The genesis of Mumbai North West’s political saga can be traced back to the pre-independence era when Mumbai, then known as Bombay, emerged as a focal point of political activism and nationalist fervor. The constituency’s boundaries have evolved in tandem with the city’s expanding footprint, encompassing diverse neighborhoods ranging from the vibrant streets of Andheri and Versova to the bustling hubs of Goregaon and Jogeshwari.
Post-independence, Mumbai North West became a vital cog in the democratic machinery of India, with its electorate actively participating in the electoral process to elect representatives to the Lok Sabha. The constituency’s journey through the annals of Indian democracy has been marked by a kaleidoscope of political affiliations, ideological shifts, and electoral battles.
The political narrative of Mumbai North West is intricately woven with the rise and fall of prominent political stalwarts who have left an indelible imprint on the constituency’s socio-political landscape. Leaders from diverse political hues, including the Indian National Congress, Shiv Sena, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and other regional outfits, have vied for electoral supremacy, each leaving their distinct mark on the constituency’s trajectory.
One of the defining features of Mumbai North West’s political history is its resilience in the face of adversity. The constituency has weathered political storms, electoral upsets, and seismic shifts in power dynamics, emerging as a crucible of democratic expression and political mobilization. Despite the challenges posed by rapid urbanization, infrastructure bottlenecks, and socio-economic disparities, the electorate of Mumbai North West has exhibited a steadfast commitment to democratic ideals and civic engagement.
The electoral landscape of Mumbai North West has witnessed seismic shifts in recent decades, mirroring broader political realignments at the state and national levels. The emergence of new political formations, changing socio-economic demographics, and evolving voter aspirations have added layers of complexity to the constituency’s political calculus, making each electoral contest a microcosm of India’s democratic vibrancy.
Moreover, Mumbai North West’s political narrative is deeply intertwined with the aspirations and struggles of its multi-faceted populace. From advocating for better infrastructure and urban amenities to addressing issues of housing, transportation, and environmental sustainability, the electorate has consistently demanded responsive governance and equitable development from its elected representatives. Gajanan Kirtikar from SHS won the parliamentary elections in 2019 with a winning margin of 27.65% . Gajanan Kirtikar defeated Sanjay Nirupam from INC . SHS and INC polled a vote share of 60.55% and 32.9% respectively. In 2014 Kirit Somaiya belonging to BJP won the elections, while in 2009 ,Mumbai North West constituency choose Sanjay Dina Patil from NCP. The voter turnout in 2019 , 2014 and 2009 was 57.23% , 51.65 % and 42.46% respectively.
In conclusion, the history of Mumbai North West Lok Sabha constituency is a saga of resilience, dynamism, and democratic vitality. As Mumbai continues to evolve as a global city, the constituency’s political journey serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring spirit of democracy and the power of collective action in shaping the destiny of nations. As the constituency embarks on a new chapter in its political odyssey, it remains poised to navigate the winds of change with fortitude and resolve, guided by the enduring principles of democracy, inclusivity, and progress.
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENTS
Shantilal Shah: He was an Indian politician, elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India as a member of the Indian National Congress from Mumbai North West Lok Sabha constituency. He received his education at Elphinstone College and Gujarat College.
H. R. Gokhale: He was an Indian politician who was a member of the Indian National Congress from Maharashtra and of the Lok Sabha from Mumbai North West. He served as cabinet minister of Law and Justice in the Indira Gandhi government during The Emergency (1975–1977).[1] He died at the age of 62 after suffering a heart attack in New Delhi in February 1978. He was the father in law of the writer Namita Gokhale.
Ram Boolchand Jethmalani: He was an Indian lawyer and politician. He served as India’s Union minister of law and justice, as chairman of the Indian Bar Council, and as the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association. Jethmalani obtained his LL.B. degree at the age of 17 and started practising law in his hometown, Shikarpur, until the partition of India. The partition led him to move to Mumbai as a refugee where he began his life and career afresh. He announced his retirement from judicial profession in 2017. Throughout his political career, Jethmalani worked for improving the relations between India and Pakistan, owing to his experiences as a refugee post-partition. He was elected as member of the Lok Sabha twice, on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tickets, from the Mumbai North West constituency. He also served as the union minister of urban development in the first Atal Bihari Vajpayee ministry, against whom he later contested election in the 2004 Indian general elections from the Lucknow constituency. He later returned to BJP in 2010, and was elected to the Rajya Sabha on its ticket. Jethmalani was awarded the Human Rights Award by World Peace Through Law in 1977. He authored books such as Big Egos, Small Men; Conscience of a Maverick; and Maverick: Unchanged, Unrepentant; among others. He also co-authored legal scholarly books on different fields of law.
Sunil Dutt: He was an Indian actor, film producer, director and politician. Dutt was honoured with Padma Shri, in 1968, by the Government of India, for his contribution to Indian cinema. Dutt debuted in 1955 with the Hindi film Railway Platform. He rose to prominence with highly successful and acclaimed films, such as Ek Hi Raasta (1956), Mother India (1957), Sadhna (1958) and went on to deliver many hugely popular and iconic films in a career that spanned 48 years.
Dutt married his Mother India co-star Nargis in 1958. Together they had three children, including the actor Sanjay Dutt.[8] In 1984 he joined the Indian National Congress party and was elected to the Parliament of India for five terms from the constituency of Mumbai North West. He was the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports in the Manmohan Singh government (2004–2005) and also a former Sheriff of Mumbai.
In 1982, he was appointed as the Sheriff of Bombay, an apolitical titular position bestowed on him by the Maharashtra government for a year. In 1995, he won the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the film industry for four decades.
In 1987 when Punjab was facing heightened militancy, Dutt, accompanied by his daughter Priya undertook a 2,000 km 76 day long Mahashanti Padyatra (journey by foot) from Bombay to Amritsar (Golden Temple) to establish communal harmony and brotherhood. During the padyatra, he attended more than 500 roadside meetings and suffered a bout of jaundice.
His political career was halted for some years in the early 1990s when he worked to free his son from jail after he was arrested for keeping an AK-56 that he claimed was for the protection of his family after bomb blasts in Bombay.
Madhukar Sarpotdar: He was born in 1936 and had his last breath in 2010. Madhukar was a leader of Shiv Sena and a member of Lok Sabha elected from Mumbai North West. He was trade unionist and a member of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elected in 1990.
Priya Dutt Roncon: She is an Indian politician and social worker. She was elected for the first time to the 14th Lok Sabha from Mumbai North West constituency in Maharashtra on 22 November 2005, representing the Indian National Congress party. She represented the Mumbai North Central constituency in the 15th Lok Sabha from 2009. It first became obvious that Priya was her father’s successor when she accompanied him on his Mahashanti Padyatra in 1987 from Mumbai to Amritsar. In 2005, following the death of her father, Sunil Dutt, and despite a low voter turnout, she won her seat in the Lok Sabha by a margin of 172,043 votes over the Shiv Sena candidate. Dutt received considerable media attention for this victory, partially on account of her famous family. Since her election, Priya has been appointed secretary of the All-India Congress Committee. In the 2014 and 2019 Indian general elections, she was defeated by Poonam Mahajan of the BJP.
Gajanan Kirtikar: He is Leader of Shivsena and a Member of Parliament (MP) from Mumbai North West (Lok Sabha constituency) in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He has been a Member of Legislative Assembly from Malad assembly constituency in Mumbai from 1990 to 2009.
He was state minister for home in Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party Government. He has been elected to the Parliament of India. In the 2014 General elections (16th Lok Sabha), he defeated Gurudas Kamat, by a margin of approximately 1,83,028 votes, to win from the Mumbai North West constituency in Maharashtra. In the 2019 General elections (17th Lok Sabha), he defeated Sanjay Nirupam, by a margin of 2,60,328 votes.
Gurudas Kamat: He was an Indian politician from the Indian National Congress (INC). An advocate by profession, Kamat was a commerce graduate from R.A. Podar College, Mumbai and has a law degree from the Government Law College, Mumbai. He was a Member of the Parliament for the Mumbai North West constituency of Maharashtra in 2009 and Mumbai North East constituency of Maharashtra in 1984, 1991, 1998 and 2004. He served as the Minister of State for Home Affairs with additional charge of Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Government of India during 2009 to 2011. In July 2011, he resigned as minister. In July 2013, Kamat was appointed General Secretary All India Congress Committee and given charge of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu[10] and was also appointed a member of the Congress Working Committee, the highest decision making body of the Indian National Congress.
In 2014, he lost the Lok Sabha Election. In 1980 he was appointed General Secretary of Maharshtra Pradesh Youth Congress; in 1984, he was appointed the President of the Maharashtra Pradesh Youth Congress; and in 1987, he was appointed the President of the Indian Youth Congress.
Kamat was appointed the President of Mumbai Congress in 2003. He held the position till 2008.
In 1982, Kamat represented the Indian Youth Congress at International Convention in Bucharest, Romania. In 1986, Kamat represented International Youth Festival in Moscow and USSR. In 2003, he was a member of the four member delegation representing India at the United Nations in New York City along with Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Inder Kumar Gujral and Farooq Abdullah.