BJP's Parag Alavani faces parallel internal contest

VILE PARLE | A major issue is the long-standing demand to remove the funnel zone; the flight path restriction has prevented redevelopment of many bldgs

- Megha Kuchik

Vile Parle (constituency 167), currently represented by BJP MLA Advocate Parag Alavani, 57, is a Vidhan Sabha constituency in the Mumbai suburban district, and part of the Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha constituency.

With around 2.74 lakh voters, it is a general category seat covering Vile Parle East, a few parts of Parle West, Bamanwada, Hanuman Road, Shivaji Nagar, Sambhaji Nagar, Lohia Nagar, Amar Subway, and Irla. Vile Parle is particularly known for its Marathi Brahmin residents, while around 15,000 Muslims live in Lohia Nagar.

The constituency was formed in 1962. Over the years, Congress, Shiv Sena, Janata Party, Independents, and the BJP have held power here. Initially dominated by Congress, in 1978, the Janata Party's candidate won the seat. Shiv Sena (undivided) held the seat for three consecutive terms between 1990 and 2004. In 2004, Congress regained control till 2014. In the 2014 assembly election, the BJP won the constituency for the first time, with Parag Alavani securing back-to-back victories.

In 2019, Alavani secured 84,991 votes, defeating Congress candidate Jayantibhai Siroya by 58,427 votes.

LLB holder Alavani was BJP president of the North Mumbai district from 1998 to 2002 and served as a municipal councillor in the BMC between 1997 and 2007. He also chaired the K/East ward committee in 2001-2002 and headed the BMC's improvement committee in 2002-2003. Between 2003 and 2007, he was the BJP group leader in the BMC. He was first elected as an MLA in 2014.