Campaign of people’s candidate from Mumbai South, Suryakant Shinge, gathers momentum

Mumbai South, the constituency from which people’s candidate Suryakant Shinge is standing for the Lok Sabha, typifies the sharp contradictions that characterise Indian society today.  Working class chawls stand cheek by jowl with some of the most expensive dwellings of the wealthy.  Asked about his program, Comrade Shinge replies frankly: “Indian society is divided into two classes. One is the super rich, the ruling class. The other is the class of all the toiling people. One can have a program either to make the India of the ruling class richer, or one can have a program to improve the lives of all the toiling people. My program is for the class of toilers.”

Comrade Shinge’s background testifies to his commitment to the cause of all working people.  A skilled garment worker since 1993, he was quickly roused to action by the inhuman conditions under which workers like him had to toil, and by the indifference to their needs on the part of various established trade unions.  Along with some other workers, he formed the Ladaku Garment Mazdoor Sangh.  This has been a union with a difference.  Apart from fighting militantly for the economic demands of workers, this Union also considers the social and political education of workers as its duty.  It has also established a unique tradition that all crucial decisions, such as how to fight for their rights, how to deal with the bosses etc., be taken only after discussion and approval by the general membership of the concerned unit.  Comrade Shinge has been in the forefront of many struggles, such as against factory closures and layoffs, in defence of the rights of contract workers and the rights of women, for water and other facilities for the people, and so on.

Based on his proven record as a fighter for people’s rights, Comrade Shinge was a natural choice of lok raj samitis from the constituency that gathered to decide on their candidate for these 15th Lok Sabha elections. Taking very seriously his commitment that, if elected, he will be fully accountable to the people of his constituency, Shinge has given an affidavit that he will respect the right of the electors to recall him if they are not satisfied with his performance. Besides the enthusiastic support of his comrades from the Ladaku Garment Mazdoor Sangh and Ladaku Mazdoor Union, his candidacy is supported by the Communist Ghadar Party of India, as well as organisations like Lok Raj Sangathan, Kamgar Ekta Chalwal, Purogami Mahila Sangathan, Hind Naujawan Ekta Sabha, and Jan Jagruti Abhiyaan.

Comrade Shinge is well aware that there is no level playing-field in this system between the candidates of the rich moneybags and those like him who fight for the program of the working people.  The rules and regulations of the electoral process are such that candidates who do not have a well-funded and tested electoral machine behind them have to spend precious time and energy running around to satisfy all the bureaucratic requirements put before them.  Nevertheless, his campaign, involving enthusiastic and youthful teams of supporters, has got off to a flying start.

From morning to nightfall, these teams can be seen going from door to door, speaking with thousands of voters in places like Dockyard Labour Colony, Abhyudaya Nagar and Chatai Chawl, Parel Village, Bhoiwada, BEST Colony, as well as the BDD area in N.M.Joshi Marg, the Worli BDD chawls and the Gopal Nagar slum behind the now closed Century textile mill.  The message is simple and clear. “My constituency has a large number of workers living in ‘chawls’ and slums,” Comrade Shinge explains. “At one time this area was called ‘girangaon’ – textile city- but all the mills have been closed down, workers have been thrown out of their jobs and their homes. Permanent jobs have turned contractual. Garment workers are worse off – they work on piece rate only. I want to fight for all of them so their jobs are secure and permanent; their homes cannot be taken away or demolished under any excuse; they get all dues and compensation, at least as per law. I will fight for water and ‘safsafai’ (cleanliness) for all slums and chawls in my area. I will insist that ration shops provide enough good quality rice, wheat and kerosene to everybody who needs these necessities.”  He also declares that he will fight against those forces which try to divide working people on the basis of their religion, region, and so on.

But even more than this, Comrade Shinge and his supporters try to impress upon voters the need for a new politics altogether.  He insists that his standing is a part of the fight to overhaul the existing political process in which people feel helpless. Participating in elections, he says, is like opening the door a crack, to let in the light. “I want to carry the message that people have to get politically active, fight for a new politics, not just wait for a messiah or magician.”

Judging by the response he is getting from those he meets, the message is definitely getting through.  The sentiment of ordinary workers for Comrade Shinge’s candidature can be seen in the generous contribution of garment workers. For instance, a group of about a dozen garment workers had planned a picnic in Alibagh. They had collected Rs. 2800 for this purpose. When they heard that Shinge was standing in the election, they simply cancelled their picnic and handed over this money to him.  During the door to door campaigning, various people come up to express support, while others have reacted spontaneously by offering to take them around and introducing them to people in their areas. 

The campaign of Comrade Suryakant Shinge in Mumbai South and others like him is part of the broad movement of the people for the renewal of the country and its political system.  The people in this so-called “world’s largest democracy” are showing that they are disgusted with a system in which people have no choice but to vote for the candidates of the rich and powerful.  Campaigns such as this help to raise the level of political debate and expand the space for people’s politics and people’s concerns to come to the fore.  They also provide another opportunity to place before the masses the vision of a new society, which the people must fight for, in which there will be no exploitation or oppression and in which people will take power firmly into their own hands.