The Mumbai North constituency seat is just getting warm ahead of the Lok Sabha elections with politicians leaving no stone unturned in belittling each other.
BJP candidate from Mumbai North constituency seat Gopal Shetty lashed out at his Congress opponent, Urmila Matondkar.
Gopal Shetty, who is also the sitting MP here, talked to India Today right at the start of his nomination rally.
Gopal Shetty maintained that Urmila Matondkar was simply led to the political field after being given the belief that since Govinda had won, she too could enter the fray.
Gopal Shetty also mocked the actor-turned-politician and said that Urmila Matondkar is a “bholi-bhali ladki” who is zero in politics.
When asked on how was Urmila Matondkar able to gather crowds at her public gatherings, Gopal Shetty asserted that people are curious to see her but when it comes to voting they will see his work.
In the game of optics, BJP is always a step ahead of its rivals. As BJP leader Gopal Shetty began his nomination rally, there was a sheer display of grandeur.
At the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Chowk in Boriwali-west, a large number of BJP supporters had gathered since morning.
There were many pundits reciting the Vedic chants at his arrival which attracted a lot of people.
I am people’s man and deeply rooted in my culture. I respect everyone here and that’s why the large support. I am sure that I will win. Gopal Shetty said before climbing the mini truck and continuing his journey to the nomination centre.
Mumbai North constituency has become very interesting with Congress fielding Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar against BJPs Gopal Shetty.
Urmila Matondkar might be a novice in politics but she is still perceived as a star. And going by her recent outings, she’s definitely proving to be a crowd puller.
Urmila Matondkar has the glamour quotient with her but the question is whether it be enough for her to take on a strong candidate like Gopal Shetty, who’s very connected with the people.
Earlier, Congress had offered this seat to Sanjay Nirupam who refused and instead chose to fight from Mumbai North West. Nirupam had lost this seat to Shetty in 2014 by a huge margin.
Mumbai North has a sizeable population of Marathi, Gujarati, Jains and North Indians. BJP has a strong hold over this constituency which has around 18 lakh voters.
The biggest plus for Gopal Shetty is his connect with the people. He has been heard saying that Urmila Matondkar is younger to him and a woman and as such he respects her.
Gopal Shetty vowed that he will never indulge in any form of personal attack as he has so much to talk about the work he’s done for the people. However, he changed his tactics today.
Mumbai North has the assembly segments of Boriwali, Dahisar, Magathane, Kandivali(e),Charkop, and Malad(w).
After Ram Naik who held this seat between 1989 and 1999, it was Bollywood star Govinda who made history by defeating the BJP stalwart in 2004.
However, Govinda didn’t contest 2009 elections but Sanjay Nirupam did succeed in retaining the seat.
Mumbai goes to poll on April 29.
