Bandra West Assembly constituency (177) is one of the 26 Vidhan Sabha constituencies in Mumbai's suburban district. Known for its diverse population of over three lakh registered voters, the area has a notable presence of the Koli community, with Muslim voters often playing a decisive role in determining the electoral outcome.
Before the 2008 delimitation of assembly seats, Bandra West was part of the larger Bandra Assembly constituency, previously represented by prominent leaders such as Ramdas Nayak. Now classified as a general category seat, it is one of six assembly segments that form the Mumbai North Central parliamentary constituency.
For decades, Bandra West was seen as a Congress stronghold. However, a significant shift occurred in the 2014 assembly election when BJP’s Ashish Shelar, now 51, defeated Congress heavyweight Baba Siddique by more than 26,000 votes. Shelar repeated his victory in 2019, securing another win with a similar margin against the Congress.
Shelar, an LLB holder, has established strong connections with local Christian and Muslim communities. Traditionally, Muslim voters have leaned towards Congress in both Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. However, recent elections saw a shift, with some voters supporting Shelar due to his rapport with the community. Shelar’s political career spans decades. Between 1988-95, he worked full-time with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and later served as a BJP municipal councillor from 2002 to 2012, leading the BJP in the BMC. He was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) in 2012, briefly served as School Education Minister in 2019, and was re-elected to the Assembly in October 2019. He currently holds the position of BJP Mumbai president.
A recent report by NGO Praja Foundation ranked Shelar 7th overall in performance among Mumbai’s MLAs. His performance in the 2024 MLA audit places him 25th in terms of a clean criminal record, 23rd for attendance, and 4th for raising questions and overall quality.
Despite his political successes, Bandra West grapples with a range of pressing issues. Traffic congestion remains one of the most significant challenges, exacerbated by ongoing metro construction and numerous redevelopment projects. Rush-hour snarls, worsened by hawkers, particularly on Hill Road, are a common sight. Water scarcity is another critical concern. While upscale areas like Bandstand, Pali Hill, and Carter Road enjoy access to amenities, several pockets in the constituency face chronic water shortages.
Bandra West presents a mix of high-rise buildings and slum areas. Some slum rehabilitation projects, such as the Nargis Dutt SRA project, have been pending for over 20 years, leaving hundreds of families in limbo. Additionally, residents have expressed concerns about illegal cafes and unauthorised construction, noting that while some public spaces have been developed, they are often locked or inaccessible to ordinary citizens.
One of the constituency’s major healthcare facilities, Bhabha Hospital, has been deteriorating and requires a comprehensive upgrade. Speaking anonymously, a social activist said, "Shelar has made notable contributions to the community, especially in maintaining open spaces like the Reclamation Ground. However, these areas are accessible to only a select few. His action-oriented approach benefits a limited number of residents."
Local residents have voiced their frustrations over traffic congestion. Glen D’Costa, a Bandra resident, commented, “Flyovers and sea links are good, but no thought has been given to solving the problem of congestion at exit points. The coastal road project will affect Otters Club junction and Perry Road exits.”
Congress’s Asif Zakaria, a vocal critic of BJP governance, ran against Shelar in 2019 and continues to challenge the ruling party. “The problems of Bandra West remain the same. Traffic congestion and pending SRA projects are still major issues. Over the last five years, the BJP has done nothing to improve the quality of life,” he argued.
In response, Shelar defended his track record. "Agreements inked over 20 years ago, like the Shastri Nagar and Maharashtra Nagar SRA projects, are finally moving forward. The Daulat Nagar SRA project, stalled during the Aghadi government, has resumed. The traffic issue persists due to metro construction and the rising number of vehicles, but the Bandra-Versova Sea Link will help alleviate the problem. I’ve made my position clear: action should be taken against illegal cafes, shops, and buildings. I have utilised 100% of the allocated MLA funds. Additional funds were secured, and the necessary work has been done.”
