As BJP leader Piyush Goyal faces the “outsider” tag in the Mumbai North constituency, Congress’s Bhushan Patil leverages his “bhoomi putra” status. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut and Congress leader Varsha Gaikwad recently labeled Goyal an “outsider,” igniting a political clash.
Dismissing these allegations, Goyal asserted, “There can be nobody more Mumbaikar than me.” During a roadshow, he emphasized his deep roots in the city, having been born, educated, and worked in Mumbai. Goyal, a Rajya Sabha MP and son of former BJP minister Vedprakash Goyal, started his career as a chartered accountant in Lalbaug and later as an investment banker on Nepean Sea Road.
The BJP aims to replicate the significant victory margin of 4.65 lakh votes achieved by Gopal Shetty in the last election. In 2019, Shetty secured 7.05 lakh of the 9.88 lakh votes cast, while Congress nominee Urmila Matondkar garnered 2.41 lakh votes. Goyal’s early announcement and active campaigning have given him an advantage, holding rallies across the constituency.
In contrast, Congress’s Bhushan Patil emphasizes his local identity and “Maharashtrian” roots to win votes. Patil, married to a Gujarati Jain, aims to attract BJP’s traditional Gujarati voter base. He enjoys support from Shiv Sena leader Vinod Ghosalkar, whose son Abhishek Ghosalkar was tragically killed earlier this year. Patil promises to remain accessible to constituents, advocating for their issues around the clock.
The Mumbai North seat has historically been a BJP stronghold. Former union minister Ram Naik won five consecutive elections from 1989 to 2004. In 2004, actor Govinda defeated Naik as the Congress candidate, followed by Sanjay Nirupam in 2009. Gopal Shetty reclaimed the seat for BJP in 2014 and 2019, but this time, the party chose Goyal.
Shetty actively supports Goyal’s campaign, participating in rallies and padyatras across the constituency. The Mumbai North parliamentary constituency includes six assembly seats: Borivali, Dahisar, Magathane, Kandivali East, Charkop, and Malad West. Currently, four seats are held by BJP MLAs, one by Shiv Sena led by CM Eknath Shinde, and one by a Congress MLA.
As the election approaches, the battle between Goyal and Patil intensifies, highlighting themes of local identity and political legacy.
