Every election throws up some unlikely candidates. Aditya Anand discovers that a doctor, scientist and a senior banker contesting against mighty opponents are sure that they'll bring about change
Every election throws up some unlikely candidates. Aditya Anand discovers that a doctor, scientist and a senior banker contesting against mighty opponents are sure that they'll bring about change
Dr Mona Shah (38)
Doctor and Professionals Party of India candidate for South Mumbai
Plans if elected: Bringing in more funds from the Centre for, arguably, the most affluent constituency in India. "The time has come to act for change, and to stop simply talking about it. I should not have a problem attracting an audience among the city's affluent class, especially among the educated, who are shaken by the 26/11 attacks," said Shah.
Meera Sanyal (47)
Heads the India business of ABN Amro. She is on a two-month sabbatical till May to contest the polls as an independent candidate from South Mumbai
Plans if elected: More investment in city infrastructure, a radical overhaul of the public transport system, especially local trains, stronger security, implementation of the Nagara Raj Bill on local self-government reforms. "I think my chances of winning are quite high. My concern is with Mumbai, which is where I have been all my life. I am not contesting against Milind Deora or Mohan Rawale. What have they done for Mumbai, which contributes Rs 95,000 crore to the country's exchequer, anyway?" asked Sanyal.u00a0
She added, "So what, if I am an independent. It also means I am independent of the apathy of full-time politicians, criminalisation of politics and all-pervasive corruption."
Dr Sailen Ghosh (60)
He is a retired BARC scientist contesting as an independent from the Mumbai South Central constituency
Plans if elected: To bring about a change in India's science policy, which, along with agriculture and defense, has a vital role to play in catapulting India into the league of developed nations. "While NGOs and whistleblowers highlight the plight of the jawan and kisan, forcing parliament to discuss the issues thus revealed, nobody does this for vigyan," said Ghosh.
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