Samajwadi Party MLA pledges action on healthcare, traffic, education, and textiles
Team Clarion
MUMBAI –– Rais Sheikh’s emphatic victory in the Bhiwandi East Assembly constituency has given fresh optimism among residents for long-awaited solutions to the city’s pressing challenges. Contesting on a Samajwadi Party ticket, Sheikh secured a landslide win in the 2024 assembly elections, amassing 118,757 votes, nearly double the tally of his rival, Santosh Shetty from the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), who garnered 61,717 votes.
This triumph not only cements Sheikh’s position as a prominent leader in the state but also makes him the highest vote-getter among the 10 Muslim MLAs elected in Maharashtra. The margin of his victory marks a significant leap from his narrow win of just 1,314 votes in 2019, highlighting the growing confidence of voters in his leadership.
Citizens of Bhiwandi East have made their priorities clear: they want urgent action on healthcare, traffic management, education, and the revival of the city’s declining textile industry.
Javed Azmi, a local engineer, voiced his concern about the state of healthcare services:”The Indira Gandhi Memorial Sub-District Hospital serves lakhs of people but is severely understaffed. Despite having facilities like dialysis and X-rays, the shortage of doctors and nurses is crippling. We hope Rais Sheikh will address the matter on priority.”
Azmi also pointed out the need for sustained efforts to improve municipal schools. While Sheikh’s first term saw initiatives such as digital classrooms and libraries, the engineer stressed the importance of maintaining these facilities.”Dilapidated school buildings and poor supervision could render these efforts ineffective in the long term,” he added.
Traffic congestion and road encroachments remain a headache for the residents. Zakir Khan, a retired teacher from Salahuddin Ayubi High School, noted:”The MLA beautified Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Road, but illegal encroachments by shopkeepers have narrowed it, causing severe traffic jams. Immediate and firm action is necessary to prevent such issues.”
The city’s once-thriving textile industry, long considered its backbone, has been in steady decline. Abdul Manan Siddiqui, President of the Shanti Nagar Power Loom Association, called on Sheikh to prioritise its revival:”The textile sector is on the verge of collapse. Policies to revive the industry and address the issue of long standing electricity bill arrears are critical. Honest consumers who have paid their dues for years should not be punished for others’ billing issues.”
Rais Sheikh has acknowledged the residents’ concerns and pledged to work tirelessly to resolve them.
On healthcare, he highlighted ongoing upgrades to the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital:”We’ve started building a Mother and Child Care Hospital within the IGM complex. Once operational, this facility will provide much-needed healthcare access to the residents of Bhiwandi.”
Addressing traffic woes, Sheikh shared his plans to collaborate with the Mumbai-based World Resources Institute (WRI) to devise a comprehensive traffic management strategy:”We’re reviewing traffic hotspots and have initiated several road construction projects. These measures will bring noticeable improvements in the coming months.”
On the textile industry’s plight, Sheikh assured the residents of the region of focused efforts:”Reviving the power loom sector is a top priority. We are actively seeking solutions to alleviate the burden of electricity bill arrears and provide relief to affected businesses and families.”
Sheikh’s proactive approach has raised hopes across the constituency. His ability to engage with the public and address their grievances has inspired confidence. However, residents are keenly aware that his promises must translate into tangible outcomes.
