Mumbai South constituency is relatively new, having been constituted from a Presidential notification on delimitation on February 2008. This Lok Sabha constituency has six Vidhan Sabha legislative assembly segments, comprising Worli, Shivadi, Byculla, Malabar Hill, Mumbadevi and Colaba.
Mumbai South before delimitation was dominated by Gujaratis, Marwaris and some minority vote pockets. However, after delimitation, it is almost seen to be a microcosm of the city’s diversity. It is called ‘mini Mumbai’, as it reflects the diversity of the main city. Since 1996, Mumbai South has been firmly turning the tide in favour of the party that would rule the city and the state during that election. Malabar Hill, the most affluent area, is also called the ‘swing’ vote Assembly segment, and is seen to be the most affluent seat in the whole of India.
This time, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is not contesting elections, although Raj Thackeray has been holding rallies across the state, canvassing against the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the 2014 elections, the Modi wave washed over the city, but this time, it is not so clear.
The constituency is a hotbed of linguistic as well as religious groups, and the political parties appear to be wooing specific sections to garner votes. Marathi-speaking groups in Worli and Sewree seem to be backing the BJP-Siv Sena combine, while Marwaris and Muslims appear to be inclined towards the Congress-NCP contestants. On the other hand, Sawant is relying on support from BJP legislators like Mangal Prabhat Lodha and Raj Purohit, in order to garner support from the Gujarati and Marwari communities. A huge chunk of Jain voters are also part of the support base here.
[flexiblemap src=”http://data.opencity.in/Data/Maharashatra-Parliament-Constituency-Mumbai-South-Map-V-1.kml” width=”100%” height=”400px” ]
Note – Map for representation purpose | Source – http://datameet.org
2014 Lok Sabha elections
Incumbent MP: Arvind Ganpat Sawant
| Name of candidate | Party | Votes secured | Vote share (over total votes polled) |
| Arvind Sawant | SHS | 374609 | 48.03 |
| Deora Milind Murli | INC | 245850 | 31.5 |
| Bala Nandgaonkar | MNS | 84773 | 10.8 |
| NOTA | — | 9573 | 1.22 |
Source: ECI
Know your candidates
Arvind Ganpat Sawant, Shiv Sena
Arvind Sawant, the sitting MP of Mumbai South, is Shiv Sena’s candidate in the 2019 elections. He was elected from this constituency in the last Lok Sabha elections of 2014. This Member of Parliament is a strong Trade Union Leader.
Arvind Ganpat Sawant
- Age: 67 years
- Education: Junior, B.Sc from Bhavan’s College
- Career: Social worker, trade unionist
- Address: 3/87, Mithibai Building, Acharya Donde Marg, Sewree, Mumbai – 400 015
- Telephone: 9969004488
- Email: arvindsawantg@gmail.com
- Website: http://arvindsawant.com/m/
- https://www.facebook.com/ArvindGSawant/
- https://twitter.com/AGSawant
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=arvind+sawant
- Instagram: AGSawant
- Pending criminal cases: One. Under IPC 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 332, 341, 353, 427; Section 37(3), 135 of Maharashtra Police Act, section 3(1) of Prevention of Defacement of Government Property.
Assets and Liabilities
| Year | Assets | Liabilities |
| 2019 | Rs 2,71,81,577
(Movable assets: 2,40,81,577 Immovable assets: 31,00,000) |
Nil |
| 2014 | Rs 1,30,67,446
(Movable assets: 1,05,17,446 Immovable assets: 25,50,000) |
Nil |
Sources: MyNeta.info, ECI
Click here for a complete profile of the candidate — his performance in Parliament, MPLAD projects and more news on him.
Milind Deora, INC
Milind Deora (in the centre) at the campaign trial. Credits: Facebook
The INC’s candidate is a two-time winner from Mumbai South – in 2004 as well as 2009. When he joined he was 27, the youngest candidate in 2004. He is now in a close chase and seems to be trying hard to wrest his seat back from Shiv Sena’s Arvind Sawant, who rode on the Modi wave in 2014.
- Age: 43 years
- Education: BBA from Sydenham College (Mumbai), B.A in Business & Political Science from Boston University
- Career: Politician, Businessman
- Address: 2W, Mun, H.No.44, Ramalayam Building, Dr.Gopalrao Deshmukh Marg (Peddar Road), Cumballa Hill, Near Telephone Exchange, Mumbai-400026
- Telephone: 02222021525, 9820188111
- email: mdeoraofficial@gmail.com
- Website: http://www.milinddeora.in/meet-milind/
- https://www.facebook.com/MilindDeora/
- twitter.com/@milinddeora
- Positions held: Member of Parliament (14th, 15th Lok Sabha), Minister of State Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (July 2011 – May 2014), Minister of State Ministry of Shipping (October 2012 – May 2014)
- Pending criminal cases: None
Assets and liabilities in 2019
| Movable | 33,73,94,451 (self) + 31,97,56,713(spouse) + 1,31,258(dependent) |
| Immovable | Rs 13,59,18,000 |
| Liabilities | Nil |
Source: ECI
Milind Deora has been an outspoken Congressman, who even in 2014 opposed the UPA’s ordinance that permitted an MP to continue in office even if he appealed against conviction. He has also supported ‘regulation’ of content on social media. He had led the debate on Right to Information (RTI) Bill in the Lower House in 2005. Before entering politics, he worked for an NGO that tried to ensure digital literacy for “fund-starved” government-aided schools. The Union Minister also introduced a policy with an aim to bring down telecom tower emissions and health risks.
Deora was recently in the news when he got endorsements from Mukesh Ambani, which was surprising, as the Congress has been continuously slamming his brother, Anil Ambani. Mukesh said he feels that Milind Deora understands the social, economic and cultural eco-system of south Mumbai and can connect very quickly and easily with the people. Kotak Mahindra Bank’s Uday Kotak also voiced his view in the same video along with Ambani, agreeing that Milind not only understands but also empathises with Mumbaikars.
Full list of candidates
| Candidate’s Name | Political Party | Symbol |
| Arvind Ganpat Sawant, 67, Junior BSc, Social worker | Shiv Sena | Bow and arrow |
| Milind Deora, 43, BBA, BA, Businessman | Indian National Congress | Hand |
| Gautam Sureshkumar Mistrilal, 47, SSC, Businessman | Bahujan Samaj Party | Elephant |
| Dr Anil Kumar, 68, DM (Cardiologist), Doctor | Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi | Cup and saucer |
| Abbas F Chhatriwala, 43, SSCE, self-employed | Jan Adhikar Party | Bricks |
| Irfan Shaikh, 67, BA (Hindi Satar), Petition writer | Ambedkarite Party of India | Coat |
| Ramchandra N. Kachave, 50, BA (LLB) Lawyer | Krantikari Jai Hind Sena | Helicopter |
| Shehbaj Rathod, 48, VIIIth pass, Businessman | Jai Maha Bharath Party | Pen Nib With Seven Rays |
| Sahil Shah, 27, BLS, Advocate | Bhartiya Manavadhikaar Federal Party | Biscuit |
| Hamir Kalidas Vinjuda, 65, 10th passed, Retired | Bahujan Republican Socialist Party | Air Conditioner |
| Rajesh B. Dayal, 42, 12th passed. | Independent | Slate |
| Shankar Sonawane, 51, SSC passed, Taxi driver | Independent | Gas cylinder |
| Sai Shrivastav, 29, BMM, Ad fim Director, News editor | Independent | Diamond |
Issues in South Mumbai
The constituency has a mix of Maharashtrian, non-Maharashtrian, Muslim, Christian, Jain and Marwari communities. It seems to be a microcosm of emerging Mumbai. But Mumbai South’s main problems involve the same issues as in the other constituencies of Mumbai. They include old and decrepit buildings, slum redevelopment, poor quality of water and pollution. There is a concern about jobs and business in south Mumbai. The main worry seems to be about overcoming unemployment.
A 2018 survey titled All India Survey on Governance Issues and Voting Behaviour by Association for Democratic Reforms found that residents of Mumbai South rank drinking water (50.22%), better roads (41.17%), and better employment opportunities (40.76%) as the top three voter priorities in the constituency.