Byculla Constituency!
No, no, don’t get scared, who knows what the name Byculla stood for. That was the past. Today the area is known for its timber business, the giant JJ group of hospital, the famous Byculla Zoo and of course because of the “RanRagini” who is behind the transformation of Byculla, Yamini Yashwant Jadhav.
Born and raised in Byculla, Yamini Yashwant Jadhav surely is a no quitter in life. From being detected with a life threatening disease to fighting it bravely and overcoming it, from being then erstwhile Shiv Sena’s family member to leaving Uddhav Thackeray and joining the Eknath Shinde camp, this couple has seen a lot in their 40 years of political career. From being raided by the Central agencies for being the closest confidante of the Thackeray’s to coming out of it cleanly even after the Thackerays left the Jadhav’s in the lurch, again this couple needs a salute. As for work both Yamini and Yashwant have served the people of Byculla as corporators and Yamini Tai, as she is fondly called here, was an MLA of this constituency from 2019-2024 representing Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena.
This is the only couple who left the Thackeray’s because the Thackeray’s left them in the lurch when agencies raided them. But this did not deter them, in fact they stood their ground, protected their master only to face disappointment, non-answering of phone calls and being ignored by the people whom they had fed with their own hands. Eknath Shinde coup was in its final stages when the Jadhav’s were broken, shattered emotionally and a sense of nervousness had creeped in. But then luck smiled upon them once again and they found their shelter under Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis.
In terms of competition, oh! don’t worry about it. A corporator from 2012 to 2017 who has switched many political parties and finally settled with Uddhav Thackeray, the name is Manoj Jamsutkar. A known ‘Mathaadi” Neta of the area from Congress, Manoj joined hands with Uddhav Thackeray after the famous Eknath Shinde coup had taken place 2.5 years back. Known as a close associate of Sachin Ahir and NCP (SP) and Shashikant Shinde, Jamsutkar’s wife too has been a corporator of the area from 2017 to 2022. In fact when I was writing this blog, my hands were on the complaint of chairman of Sant Sevalal Mathadi Kamgar Sanghatana, Shripad Madan, who had filed a complaint against Jamsuthkar at the N.M. Joshi Marg police station.
Being a cancer survivor, Yamini tai has special attachment to serve the cause today. In JJ group of hospitals, she got the permission to construct the Super Speciality Hospital on the lines of AIIMS of Delhi, a dream come true project for her. This hospital will be completed in a year or two. Her constituency when she came to active politics was marred by a lot of addiction amongst youngsters. It is Yamini Tai, who wants a special cell for the de-addiction program and along with that rehab facilities too. The gardens of the JJ hospital campus are refurbished and along with the help from PWD, the rooms and buildings of doctors residences and student accommodation have also received a facelift! There was a community Hall meant for celebrations for the resident doctors, it was shut for more than 8 years, today it is refurbished beautifully and used too. The area of Byculla was filled with triplex slums and people slept on the road, such was the condition of her constituency. Today not only she has rehabilitated every slum dweller of the area but also made roads of Byculla, wider and beautiful. Yes, I used the term beautiful. You have to see it to believe it.
Then there is “Aai Gaondevi” temple at the Mazgaon Tekdi, which is Kuldevi to local Mazgaonkar. People say it was in a bit of a shattered state. Yamini tai has got it approved as a tourist spot for Mumbaikars and people say, the view from there will make you feel that you are not in Mumbai anymore.
Please understand, this constituency is dominated by 41% of the Muslims, just imagine the efforts Yamini Tai must be making to take care of her voters. I can go on and on with her achievements, but for all of you to know so, she has printed a booklet which she calls her balance-sheet of performance which has reached every household of her constituency. Some schemes which are close to her heart remain the repairing of 66 dilapidated buildings under the PMGP Yojna where she spent Rs. 126 crores. Then under the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana, the amount was raised from Rs. 1000 per month to Rs. 1500/- per month only due to her efforts. Then the Manodhairya Yojna too got financial assistance only due to her efforts.
By the way, her office system is too good. If you want a particular issue to be solved by her, you need to address your issue to her in a letter. Her team member visits the complaint site and a systematic approach is taken to solve the complaint. Her PA Rajendra Ghodekar who has served at least 3 MLA’s before says, “Humari Madam jaisa Koi Nahin, Unka Kaam Bolta Hai”….To conclude this, Byculla residents, get down tomorrow and vote for development, accessible, and the affable–Yamini Yashwant Jadhav and make her a winner!!
Vikrant Hemant Joshi.
