January 9, 2026: Long-pending Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) projects have become the central issue in Mumbai’s Ward 202, which includes Sewri and Bhoiwada, as residents continue to live for decades in transit camps. The ward, with close to 50,000 voters and a predominantly Marathi-speaking population, has traditionally supported the undivided Shiv Sena. However, growing anger over delayed redevelopment and allegations of political-bureaucratic collusion with builders have altered the local political dynamics.
Discontent has led to a split within the Shiv Sena (UBT), with long-time shakha pramukh Vijay Indulkar entering the fray as an independent after being denied a party ticket. He is contesting against Shraddha Jadhav, a six-time corporator and former mayor. Explaining his decision, Indulkar said his contest was directed at the candidate selection rather than the party. “If I win, I will return to the Sena (UBT) to prove that grassroots workers with decades of service deserve an opportunity,” he said.
Indulkar claimed strong backing from party cadres, alleging that nearly 120 office-bearers had resigned in his support and that most Shiv Sainiks were campaigning for him. “My campaign is being carried out by party workers, while my opponent has to hire workers from the MNS,” he alleged. He further said party surveys had reflected dissatisfaction with Jadhav.
Addressing residents of Chalisma Tower in Parel village, Indulkar described stalled SRA projects as the ward’s biggest concern. “People have neither received homes nor rent after vacating their houses. Redeveloped buildings have not received corpus funds for the last 10 years. A horizontal slum has been converted into a vertical one,” he alleged, adding that Bhoiwada residents had remained in transit camps for nearly three decades.
Rejecting the charges, Jadhav asserted her connect with voters. “I campaign every day. Every house knows me and is satisfied with my work. I have been elected four times from this ward. Would people repeatedly elect me if I hadn’t worked here?” she asked. She acknowledged demands for redevelopment across several slum pockets and accepted that water supply issues required additional pipelines.
The contest has also drawn in BJP candidate Parth Bavkar, the party’s youngest nominee at 29, who is seeking support from younger voters. Campaigning in Bhoiwada gaon, he said, “Fifth-generation residents are still living in transit camps. Their suffering brings tears to the eyes.” Highlighting his work, Bavkar added, “At 24, I became the youngest BJP shakha pramukh. I worked at the grassroots level, connected with young voters through social media, and helped residents during the pandemic.”
Residents such as Kamlesh Bansode reflect the prevailing frustration. “It has been over 17 years and we are still waiting for our rightful homes. Every election brings promises, but no progress. Political parties are clearly hand in glove with the builder lobby,” he alleged.
With redevelopment failures dominating voter sentiment, Ward 202 is set for one of its most closely fought civic contests, with stalled SRA projects likely to play a decisive role.
