Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, arrived in Mumbai on a private visit on Thursday and made a significant stop at Dharavi, Asia’s largest slum, where he interacted with labourers and small-scale entrepreneurs from the leather industry. Accompanied by local Congress leaders, including MP Varsha Gaikwad, Gandhi aimed to understand the challenges faced by Dharavi’s working-class community.
During his visit, he also explored the renowned Brand Chamar studio, known for its handcrafted leather goods. This outreach comes amid Congress’ criticism of the Adani Group’s involvement in the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, a massive initiative affecting 850,000 residents across 600 acres.
Earlier in the day, Gandhi was welcomed by key Maharashtra Congress leaders, including Satej Pail, Bhai Jagtap, Vijay Wadettiwar, and Varsha Gaikwad. His visit aligns with Congress’ broader political stance against the BJP government’s alleged favoritism toward industrialist Gautam Adani, particularly in securing high-value projects like Dharavi’s redevelopment.
In November 2022, the Adani Group won the bid for the Dharavi project with a ₹5,069 crore proposal, leading to opposition concerns about potential displacement and commercial interests outweighing residents’ welfare.