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Updated: Apr 22, 2019 07:06 IST

In 2014, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Gopal Shetty wrested the Mumbai North Lok Sabha constituency from Congress’s Sanjay Nirupam. He won by over four lakh votes.

The contest for the seat, which would go to the polls in the fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls on April 29, was again seen as a cakewalk for Shetty. He was widely expected to retain the seat considering its demographic composition. Marathis and Gujaratis, who are seen to be loyal BJP supporters, account for the constituency’s 75% of the voters.

The victory for the BJP appeared to be a foregone conclusion so much so that no candidate from the Congress wanted to contest from Mumbai North, according to people aware of the developments within the party.

The Congress’s announcement of Bollywood actor Urmila Matondkar’s candidature last month to take on Shetty has turned the battle interesting.

The Aam Aadmi Party and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena have not fielded their candidates from the constituency unlike in 2014. It is a now straight BJP versus Congress fight in the constituency, which consists of Dahisar, Borivli, Kandivli and parts of Malad. Housing, basic amenities for slum dwellers, redevelopment and infrastructure growth for the middle class are among the constituency’s main issues.

Matondkar has spoken against the BJP over issues like the party’s failed development policies to strike a chord over the past one month. She has been campaigning in the summer heat for hours and meeting people across the constituency. “I am here to stay, irrespective of the elections. People are suffering a lot under the current regime and I will work to change that,” she told HT after a rally in Borivli.

At another rally in Malad West, Matondkar told HT she was here to do good work and was humbled to get the love and support of many from the constituency. “The crowds that you see today are only a part of the huge backing that I have from people,” she said. “Many are hopeful about my win and call me to discuss their issues.”

Nishikant Naik, a human resource professional from Kandivli, said Shetty has been approachable over the last five years, but many are upset over the party’s performance as a whole, which can swing a few votes towards the Congress.

Shetty, a three-time corporator and two-term state lawmaker, said he has an open office. “Anyone can come to me with any problem and I help them solve it. We have a strong support base across communities because of the work we have done,” he said. Total Voter Male Winner Runner-up Victory margin polled in 2014 election (BJP) (Cong)