February 25: The Republican Party of India's candidate for north-central Lok Sabha constituency Ramdas Athavale showed that he is politically correct when he visited the Mahim dargah locality on the occasion of Mahashivratri today.Kicking off the second last day of his campaign from this predominantly Muslim area, Athavale spent a good two-and-half hours walking and mingling with the residents though he preferred not to step inside the precincts of the famous Mahim Dargah on Veer Savarkar Road. This was also the most exhaustive campaign trail undertaken by the RPI leader, covering several areas other than Mahim today.
``We are all fed up with the rule of a communal government, even the police harasses the youth of our area without any reason. However, we hope you will come back to our locality after you win the elections,'' an aged Muslim resident at the Dargah Street told Athavale who was basking in the warm response of the people. In a spontaneous show of their affections, the flower sellers outsidethe Dargah showered petals and flowers on Athavale as he walked past them, hands folded and looking up towards the people standing precariously in their small balconies.
Around 3000 party workers of the RPI, the SP and the Congress had joined in to support Athavale's trail here. This could well prove to be the cross over the thin line that divides victory from defeat. Local Corporator Babubhai Bhawanji, who joined Athavale, said: ``Looking at the crowd response today we are certain of a victory. Many strong Muslim leaders such as ex-MLA Amin Khandwani and sitting MLA from Kurla Nawab Malik were also with us.''
Another Mahim resident Adil Parkar who watched the Dalit leader in action today, commented: ``Athavale held several street corner meetings in our area today and convinced us that he is all for protecting the minority community. Hence I have now decided to vote for him, like many others. After the Dargah, Athavale touched the Mahim Fort, Bala Miyan Lane, Velkar Wadi and then Lohar Chawl.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
