Redvpt of old and dilapidated buildings is major issue in SoBo: Yamini Jadhav

In the labyrinth of Indian politics where each constituency becomes a battleground for ideologies Mumbai South emerges as a crucial arena pulsating with diverse aspirations and visions for the future In the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024 one name that resonates prominently in this vibrant landscape is Yamini Jadhav the formidable candidate representing the Eknath Shindeled Shiv SenaYamini Jadhav is not merely a political contender she embodies the spirit of Mumbai Southmdasha blend of tradition and modernity resilience and aspiration Born and raised in the heart of Mumbai Jadhavs journey is deeply intertwined with the fabric of the city Her grassroots activism has shaped her into a dynamic leader who understands the pulse of her constituencyIn an exclusive interview with MidDay Jadhav shared her vision for the constituency emphasising the need for a national policy for baby feeding centers in India She also discussed her perspective on challenging twoterm MP Arvind Sawant of the Shiv Sena UBTWhen discussing her inspiration to run for the Lok Sabha elections in 2024 Jadhav emphasised that it was the peoples issues that motivated her candidacy She reflected on the words of Balasaheb Thackeray who advocated for a blend of social work and politics but Jadhav believes in prioritising social work even more heavilyBalasaheb Thackeray always used to say 80 per cent social work and 20 per cent politics But I believe that when we engage with the people it should be 95 per cent social work and only 5 per cent politics My political philosophy is simple we should focus on addressing the needs and issues of the people Understanding your constituency is crucial It allows you to implement various projects and schemes for the betterment of the people As a politician its essential to be constantly available I am always accessible to my fellow citizensrdquo she saidWhen asked about the key issues she aims to address in the Mumbai South constituency Jadhav highlighted the urgent need for the redevelopment of old and dilapidated buildings ensuring residents have safe and improved housing options within MumbaiThe redevelopment of old and dilapidated buildings is a pressing concern Residents deserve safe and improved housing options within Mumbai In addition both cessed and noncessed buildings in South Mumbai urgently require redevelopment and repairs Addressing the rehabilitation of slums on central government land such as Mumbai Port Authority MPA and National Textile Corporation NTC properties is also crucial Furthermore there are challenges with cluster redevelopment in South Mumbai notably the current minimum area requirement of 4000 sq m I am committed to advocating for reducing this requirement to 2500 or 3000 sq m to facilitate smoother redevelopment processesrdquo she saidJadhav stated that another key issue she aims to address is traffic and parkingThe other issues I aim to address are traffic and parking Once redevelopment happens this issue will automatically be addressed she saidJadhav added that she also aims to introduce a national policy for baby feeding centres in IndiaWhen asked what made her come up with such a policy she said ldquoFrom bustling urban centers to remote rural villages mothers face numerous obstacles when it comes to breastfeeding their babies Limited access to clean and private spaces the social stigma surrounding breastfeeding in public and the pressures of returning to work shortly after childbirth all contribute to the challenges faced by new mothers As a woman a mother and an elected representative my journey toward advocating for a comprehensive national policy for Baby Feeding Centers BFCs in India began with a poignant momentmdasha scene that deeply moved me During a visit to the Mumbadevi temple on a scorching afternoon amidst the hustle and bustle of devotees I noticed a group of lactating mothers sitting on the temple steps struggling to feed their babies amidst the chaos This site was both heartwrenching and enlightening serving as a stark reminder of the difficulties faced by working mothers particularly those lacking adequate support systemsrdquoldquoBeing a woman myself I could deeply empathise with the struggles of these mothers Listening to their stories of balancing work household responsibilities and childcare I realised the urgent need for accessible and supportive infrastructure to empower mothers to breastfeed their babies without compromising their livelihoods As a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra I understood that it was my responsibility to take action Inspired by the mothers I met I embarked on a mission to establish a baby feeding center in my constituency After months of planning and coordination with local authorities and healthcare professionals I proudly inaugurated the first baby feeding center in the Byculla zoo or Rani Baug The center provides a safe and nurturing environment for lactating mothers to breastfeed or express milk for their babies Equipped with comfortable seating arrangements privacy screens and hygiene facilities it aimed to remove the barriers that often hindered mothers from breastfeeding in public spacesrdquo she saidldquoBut my vision extends beyond the borders of Maharashtra I firmly believe that every mother deserves the right to breastfeed her child without fear or inconvenience regardless of their geographical location or socioeconomic statusrdquo Jadhav addedJadhav highlighted that she addresses numerous issues not only at the level of her constituency but also at the state level As a woman MLA I have been consistently advocating for genderbased issues Currently policewomen are permitted to wear a saree only after 16 weeks of pregnancy However in response to my demand they are now allowed to wear a saree uniform from the onset of pregnancy recognising that heavy belts and trousers are impractical during this time she explainedSpeaking about politics Yamini Jadhav expressed gratitude stating that Mahayuti leaders have been supportive and helpful Since I joined Mahayuti the alliance leaders have been incredibly supportive and helpful Being given the candidacy for the Mumbai South constituency demonstrates their faith in me she expressedWhen asked about her opinion about Arvind Sawants tenure as Member of Parliament Jadhav said Sawant is like Mr India for 10 years he has held the position of Member of Parliament MP yet theres little evidence of him actively working for the people in his constituency He remains inaccessible and unavailable to address their concerns His electoral victories can largely be attributed to the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Over the past decade he has failed to address any significant issues or resolve problems in South Mumbai Accusations of neglecting certain areas that didnt support him have been made against him Despite residing in Sewri he has taken no action to aid in the repair or redevelopment of buildings in need Essentially during his tenure as MP he has been more akin to a Missing PersonWhen asked about the allegations of tax evasion against herself and her husband Yashwant Jadhav and the Oppositionrsquos claim that she joined the Eknath Shindeled Shiv Sena to avoid jail Jadhav stated ldquoI prefer not to comment on this matter as it is sub judice We have taken legal recourse and we will respond to all the agencies through proper legal channels I have full faith in the Indian appellate and judicial system and I am confident that the courts will find us innocent The opposition is not one to question usrdquo