Dressed in white shirt and pants, three time Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) corporator Manoj Kotak is now contesting from Mumbai north-east constituency. Kotak, representing BJP in the BMC, is ready to rally around Ward 125 in Ghatkopar east area. It’s about 7:30 pm on a hot April evening and supporters from within the BJP and alliance partners Shiv Sena and Republican Party of India (RPI) holding respective party flags and garlands have been waiting to welcome their candidate with drums to embark on ‘Prachar Pheri.’ BJP leaders Kirit Somaiya – whom Kotak has replaced for the constituency – and Prakash Mehta have also arrived to join the rally.

Kotak along with Somaiya, Shiv Sena’s Shakha Pramukh, Gajanand Parab and party workers start the rally at Naidu colony on an open Tata mini tempo. Mehta and party workers lead the rally on foot. Passing through narrow lanes with a mike in hand party worker Baal Golatakar says “Manoj Kotak is nominated for the area. He has come to meet you. Bless him and ensure him victory in huge numbers. I thank all members of business community.”

Passing through Baba Sahib Ambedkar Udyan in Pant Nagar and invoking Baba Saheb Ambedkar he says, “On the occasion of Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s 128th birth anniversary we are committed to uphold his values. On the coming April 29, press the ‘lotus’ button and ensure BJP’s victory.”  

Locals from area join the rally as it slowly moves ahead along congested lanes and roads in a predominantly Gujarati area. Every few meters the vehicle halts for some time as some women wait to perform ‘aarti’ while some men want to garland their new candidate. Kotak happily obliges with folded hands saying ‘Aashirwad rakhna, Modi ko waapis laana hai.”

“Our workers have good personal contacts with locals and we do not have to identify ourselves as BJP workers as people already know us. With Amit Shah ji calling for strengthening booth levels all those with last mentality have woken up now,” says another party worker.

As the rally moves along the in inroads of pre dominantly Gujarati areas more people join the rally. Kotak and Somaiya smile and wave at the locals amidst slogans of “Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar,” “Bless Manoj Bhai Kotak, Bless Narendra Modi,” “Kamal Ka Phool Kabhi Na Bhool”, “Manoj Bhai Kotak, Aage Chalo Hum Tumhaare Sath Hain.”   

Passing through dusty and congested lanes of Ganesh temple, railway police quarters at Ashtvinayak Society, Samata colony the rally winds up at BEST Colony where supporters and workers are offered vada pav. Kotak is contesting against NCP candidate Sanjay Dina Patil in the assembly segments of Mulund, Vikhroli, Bhandup west, Ghatkopar west, Ghatkopar east and Manhurd  Shivaji Nagar.