Election Buzz: India's Prosperous City Contemplates Wealth Disparity

Many Indians believe that Mumbai is the city where dreams come true - just take a look around. It is home to Asia's richest man, Mukesh Ambani, whose grand residence towers over "Billionaires' Row." The city is also filled with waterfront mansions belonging to Bollywood stars, making it a place where ambitions are turned into reality.

As Mumbai gears up to participate in the national election, residents are calling for a more equitable distribution of wealth, believing that improved education is crucial for creating opportunities.

In the bustling Dadar neighborhood, a mix of ambitious individuals can be seen exiting train stations and shopping centers, navigating through crowded streets filled with market vendors vying for customers.

Vegetable seller Sachin Chaudhary poses for a picture during an interview with CNN in Mumbai, India, on April 16, 2024.

Vegetable seller Sachin Chaudhary poses for a picture during an interview with CNN in Mumbai, India, on April 16, 2024.

Sachin Chaudhary, a 34-year-old grocer, is worried about rising prices and a challenging job market as the city's first voting phase approaches in May. Next to stacks of potatoes and onions, he shares his biggest concerns.

He wants to see things become less expensive and children receive a quality education, leading to more job opportunities. Mumbai, known as India's wealthiest city, is compared to New York as a place full of opportunities for people from all over, striving to succeed and provide for their families back in their rural hometowns.

But in the midst of the glitter and glamour, the other side of India is also visible. Close to popular tourist spots like the famous Gateway of India, you can see day laborers working hard in the sweltering heat. They carry heavy loads on their shoulders or sell small items on the dusty roadside.

A delivery worker rides his bicycle through the traffic in Colaba, Mumbai, on April 17, 2024.

A delivery worker rides his bicycle through the traffic in Colaba, Mumbai, on April 17, 2024.

Noemi Cassanelli/CNN

Rajani Bhat, a 42-year-old Mumbai resident with short, spiky hair and an assertive voice, is troubled by the inequality.

From a street lined with jewelry and clothes shops, she expresses her concern for the safety of women, particularly young girls.

"They sell dustbin bags and have multiple jobs, but what about their education? They have parents, but the issue is their financial situation," she mentioned.

"Someone should help them out."

Rajani Bhat voiced her support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an interview with CNN in Mumbai, India, on April 16, 2024.

Rajani Bhat voiced her support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an interview with CNN in Mumbai, India, on April 16, 2024.

In Mumbai's infamous slums, it is a common sight to see many young children under the age of 10 assisting their parents in making a living. This scenario was famously portrayed in the 2008 Oscar-winning film "Slumdog Millionaire."

Kalpita Shinde, a 43-year-old government worker, emphasizes the importance of the upcoming government in India to offer its citizens more opportunities for advancement.

According to her, "Everyone should have access to employment that matches the quality of education available. When individuals have stable jobs, it benefits not only them but also their entire family, leading to an improved quality of life."

Banker Helen D’Souza, 60, shared the same feeling.

"I believe there is much work to be done in our country for the middle class," she expressed amidst the noise of Dadar's traffic. "Many individuals are dissatisfied... When you are unable to achieve something, it results in a loss of trust."

Helen D’Souza photographed while walking with her family in Mumbai, India, on April 16, 2024.

Helen D’Souza photographed while walking with her family in Mumbai, India, on April 16, 2024.

Noemi Cassanelli/CNN

‘I want Narendra Modi’

Every person from Mumbai I talked to stressed the significance of voting as a civic responsibility. However, only followers of a specific party openly shared their plans to vote.

It is widely believed that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will secure a third consecutive five-year term in this election. This would extend Modi's popular but controversial leadership into a second decade.

That dominance is evident in the abundance of BJP campaign material seen throughout the city, while signs of India's opposition are few. Billboards and posters showcasing Modi's face and highlighting his achievements and election promises can be seen everywhere.

Salesperson Parag Sawla drinks chai during a break in Mumbai, India, on April 16, 2024.

A billboard with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi displayed on a road in Mumbai, India on April 15, 2024.

Noemi Cassanelli/CNN

Sanjay Sardesai sits on his motorbike outside of the Indian National Congress headquarters during an interview with CNN in Mumbai, India, on April 16, 2024.

A man cycles along a road in front of the Shiv Sena headquarters in Mumbai, India, on April 16, 2024.

Noemi Cassanelli/CNN

For Bhat, the answer to India’s poverty-stricken girls and women lies in Modi, who has been credited with boosting the country’s economy, infrastructure and global standing.

“I want Narendra Modi – that’s it. He’s a true leader,” she says.

“Before Narendra Modi, nobody was aware about who’s the president, who’s the prime minister.

"Now everyone knows about it because he is actively engaging with other countries to strengthen our country's ability to deal with future challenges."

During a casual conversation with CNN, Parag Sawla, a 42-year-old salesperson, shared a similar viewpoint while enjoying sips of chai from a paper cup.

"I believe the BJP is the right choice for me because they prioritize both global and local issues," he explains. "It's important to me that a party focuses on matters that impact individuals within our country."

Salesperson Parag Sawla drinks chai during a break in Mumbai, India, on April 16, 2024.

Noemi Cassanelli/CNN

But not every BJP voter is as enthusiastic.

Chaudhary, the vegetable seller, explains, "There is no strong opposition, so I will vote for the BJP because there are no other significant political parties. The BJP is ruling everywhere."

“If there was a strong opposition, I would have more choice – but sadly, we don’t.”

Religious tensions

Aside from education and employment, there are other important issues on the minds of Mumbai's voters. One significant concern is the longstanding religious tensions that have intensified during Modi's time as leader.

Modi and his BJP party have faced criticism for promoting Hindu-nationalist policies that have led to increased religious divisions, fueling Islamophobia and violent communal conflicts. Many of India's 230 million Muslims feel excluded and marginalized in the country's democratic system.

One major point of debate is the BJP’s push for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which would establish uniform laws for personal matters like marriage, divorce, and inheritance instead of the religious laws currently in place for different communities.

Critics worry that the government's Hindu-nationalist agenda could unfairly impact the UCC, potentially endangering the rights and freedoms of minority groups. On the other hand, some argue that updating religious laws is a step forward in terms of progress.

Sanjay Sardesai sits on his motorbike outside of the Indian National Congress headquarters during an interview with CNN in Mumbai, India, on April 16, 2024.

Noemi Cassanelli/CNN

Sanjay Sardesai, a 60-year-old retired airline worker, wouldn’t indicate who he’s voting for but says the civil code is the most important election issue.

He tells CNN while resting on his motorbike in Dadar that all sections of society, regardless of their religion, should be treated equally. He believes that this equality should be implemented so that everyone is given the same rights throughout India.

Editor's P/S:

The article paints a vivid portrait of Mumbai, a city of dreams where ambitions take flight and stark inequalities coexist. Amidst the glittering skyscrapers, there is a longing for a fairer distribution of wealth. Residents express their desire for improved education, which they see as a key to unlocking economic opportunities and reducing social disparities. However, the city also grapples with religious divisions that have been fueled by the ruling party's Hindu-nationalist agenda. The upcoming national election has brought these issues to the fore, as voters grapple with choices that will shape the city's future. The article underscores the urgent need for policies that address both the economic aspirations and the social challenges facing Mumbai, ensuring that the dreams of all its residents, regardless of background, can come true.