Forget South Mumbai, suburban voters may just be the next kingmakers

As realty prices in the city sprint north, with south Mumbai setting the trend , the number of voters in Mumbai’s island city are dwindling.

Despite the total number of voters in Mumbai increasing by 2 percent at 98.14 lakh from 95.94 lakh in 2009, the city has seen a dramatic shift in demographics, which may in some way be related to real estate prices.

According to the TOI, the latest voter rolls reveal there are over 3.04 lakh voters in the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar constituency - a 20 percent increase from 2009 when the number was 2.52 lakh. Similarly, the voter population in Versova has increased by 19 percent, from 2.29 in 2009 to 2.72 in 2013.

[caption id=“attachment_1049111” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  The south Mumbai areas of Wadala, Mumbadevi and Byculla saw a decrease in voters by almost 14 percent, 13 percent and 13 percent each since 2009.[/caption]

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However, during the same period, South Mumbai areas of Wadala, Mumbadevi and Byculla witnessed a decrease in their voter base by almost 14 percent, 13 percent and 13 percent, respectively.

The report also says that there was a decline on the number of voters in places like Bandra, Kalina and Mulund with belts such as Charkop, Borivali East and Anushakti Nagar seeing an increase. The latter are areas which are being developed.

This shift in demographics has also made politicians take a relook at their voter base and act accordingly.

Shiv Sena’s Rahul Shewale, an aspirant for an assembly ticket from Anushakti Nagar, told TOI that he was concentrating on resolving civic issues affecting a number of project affected people who were relocated to his constituency.

Read the full report here.