Mla Sandeep Naik Makes His Debut By Taking Up The Issue Of Gutkha In State Assembly

MLA Sandeep Naik made his debut at the winter session of the state assembly by taking up the issue of gutka in the state.

It maybe recalled that a raid was recently conducted by the Food and Drugs department at Vashi in which huge amount of gutkha, adulterated with magnesium carbonate along with adulterated tea was seized. Consuming Gutkha can be injurious to health as this may lead to dangerous disease like cancer, while tea is a common beverage of people. This issue was taken up by Airoli MLA Sandeep Naik in the recently held winter session of the state assembly. His concerns were taken cognizance by the State Minister for Food and Drug department Ramesh Bagwe. In the state assembly when this issue was taken up by MLA Sandeep Naik in the question hour session, Ramesh Bagwe assured that the racket of adulteration will be busted. He further informed that in the case, one has been arrested and action will be taken under the Food Adulteration Prohibition Act.

Mla Sandeep Naik Orders Administration To Make Playgrounds With Private Schools Available For Public Utility

In the weekly Standing Committee meeting, the subject of bettering conditions of all city playgrounds was taken up by members. Chairman of the committee MLA Sandeep Naik called for better planning and conduct of these sports.

During the weekly Standing Committee meet, member Sudhakar Sonawne in a motion of objection questioned why was NMMC schools sports being organized on playgrounds that were not developed and were not fit for students to play any sport. Sudhakar Sonawane was referring to the regional sports meet of NMMC schools that were organized in a private playground. He alleged that the playground in question has full of wild growth of shrubs at several places and there were no sheds for protection from the scorching sun leading to the conduct of sports meet in very inhuman condition. Standing Committee Chairman Sandeep Naik however pointed out that at times conducting sports meets on such undeveloped grounds underlines the need and draws attention of developing these grounds. He called for better planning and conduct of these sports.

Municipal Commissioner Vijay Nahata clarified that earlier the corporation had no sports officer. He added that he had initiated the appointment of a sports officer and all the grounds have been surveyed and a report submitted, according to which each ground will be taken up for development subject to availability of funds. The question is “why is NMMC organizing sports a private ground when NMMC has invested over Rss 3 Crores in the construction of its own stadium in CBD Belapur?” Shivram Patil drew attention to grabbing of playground land by educational institutes in the city. He called upon NMMC to take over these lands and develop the same to make it accessible to children of the city. MLA Sandeep Naik called upon the Commissioner to prepare a status report of playgrounds adjoining educational institutes and take over the same fro public utility. He said that in the last few years, there have been a rise in the number of sports tournaments being organized in the city, which is a good sign and added that there was a need to make someone accountable in this department.

Incidentally almost all lands adjoining private schools in the city are taken over by leaders and relatives of past and present legislators or ministers in the ruling Congress-NCP government, which would blunt the local municipal body’s intentions. Speaking to the media later, MLA Sandeep Naik reiterated his take on the subject.

Standing Committee Chairman Sandeep Naik Orders Administration To Issue No More Property Tax Chalans

Big Jolt To Sitting Nmmc Corporators – Standing Committee Chairman Orders Administration To Issue No More Property Tax Chalans Or Water Connections To Illegal Hutments
The week’s Standing Committee meet saw MLA and Chairman of the meeting Sandeep Naik passing a rather significant order to the administration. He has asked Commissioner Vijay Nahata to completely stop issuing property tax chalans to illegal settlements and do not give water connections to any hutments post his orders.

This is Standing Committee Chairman of NMMC and MLA Sandeep Naik not just holding the administration responsible for rise in encroachments but giving a diktat that can have far reaching implications on the local politicians counting on increasing slum hutments before municipal elections 2010 to secure their victory. The Chairman has said that if NMMC officials had not given water connection or property tax chalans to encroachments, the same could have been controlled. And in order to control them, the chairman passed the historic order banning the administration from issuing any property tax chalan or giving any water connections to illegal hutments and encroachments in Navi Mumbai. The subject was taken up by Shivram Patil during the weekly Standing Committee Meet. It was during this debate, that the Chairman passed this order. Speaking to the media later, MLA Sandeep Naik said that while Navi Mumbai was better off in comparison to neighboring city Mumbai, there still was a need to form a high power committee that would have representatives of all government bodies have a stake in Navi Mumbai.

As far as the continuous rise in encroachment and illegal hutments are concerned, MLA Sandeep Naik said that constructing a compound wall in such areas was the only solution. The Chairman also made some significant and easy-to-follow suggestions to Commissioner Vijay Nahata. He said that there was a need to make ward officers accountable in every ward and those wards that registered less number of increase in encroachments should be rewarded or promoted and inefficient ward officers could even be demoted. If the NMMC administration practices and follows the diktat and suggestions of the Chairman in true spirit, it could definitely regulate the increasing encroachments in the city. But the “if” here is a big one as municipal elections are round the corner and this is peak time for multiplication of illegal hutments by local corporators to secure their seats in Municipal Elections 2010. And this includes the ruling NCP corporators of NMMC as well.

Helpline Started By NMMC To Curb Malaria

After the NMMC Standing Committee Chairman Sandeep Naik directed the administration to conduct special drives to curb the spread of malaria and dengue, NMMC has started its preparations, said DMC of Public and Sanitation department Babasaheb Rajale.

Under its various drives to control malaria and dengue, NMMC has started a helpline number 27572250 where citizens can report cases of these diseases. With the unexpected rains, NMMC Standing Committee Chairman Sandeep Naik had asked the administration to initiate drives between Nov 15 to Dec 15 to control the spread of malaria and dengue. Under this, the department has also started additional fumigation activities. NMMC has also deployed 261 workers for its fogging activities.

Rising cases of malaria has definitely become a concern for the administration as this year, 1,637 cases of malaria have been reported.

Mla Sandeep Naik Inspects Quality Of Road At Thane Belapur Road

MLA Sandeep Naik paid a visit to inspect the work going on, on the Thane Belapur Road concretization work.

MLA Sandeep Naik visited the ongoing work at the Thane Belapur road to inspect the quality of work being done and the pace at which it was being done. Sandeep Naik’s visit started from Thane near Mukund Company. Sandeep Naik was accompanied by NMMC City Engineer Mohan Dagaonkar along with other NMMC officials. Sandeep Naik along with the officials walked down the road stretch crossing Airoli, Chinchpada, Ghansoli, Koperkhairane and then lastly at Mahape. During his visit, Sandeep Naik informed to the media that while the construction work of a three lane road in progress along with construction of flyovers, it was found that the work of moving very slowly. He said that paid a visit to check if the administration was having any obstacles in completing their work.

Sandeep Naik further inspected the potholes and patches and if it was duly filled by the contractor. He insisted that to ensure that quality work of being done, inspection was necessary. Speaking on maintaining the quality of roadwork being done, Sandeep Naik said that a third party inspection would also be invited. He added that they have proposed footover bridges for commuters who presently have no option to cross roads amidst heavy traffic to reach MIDC.

Beautification Of City Ponds Forms Main Discussion At Nmmc Standing Committee

The NMMC Standing Committee recently approved the revival of city ponds, which are reeling under pathetic conditions. In the meeting Standing Committee member Shivram Patil raised concern over the delayed work done by the administration to speed up the tender process for the beautification of the ponds.

The recent NMMC Standing Committee saw important discussions on the conditions of ponds in the city. Navi Mumbai boosts of many water bodies, which are found in nodes like Vashi, Turbhe, Ghansoli, Digha, Airoli and others. However, due to negligence over the years by the administration, these water bodies are dying a slow death. The beauty of the ponds are marred with immersions of religious idols which are still seen floating in the pond. There is dumping of debris and washing of clothes in the pond by the locals which has deteriorated the beauty of these water bodies. However, very soon these ponds will get a new lease of life as NMMC has decided to beautify the city ponds at an approximate cost of Rs 16 crores. This became the main topic of discussion in the NMMC Standing Committee meet where member Shivram Patil accused the administration of moving slowly on the tender process to beautify ponds. The administration has received funds from the MMRDA for the same. NMMC Standing Committee Chairman Sandeep Naik too urged the administration to bring in more proposals to beautify the city ponds. Presently only one proposal has been put forth by the NMMC administration.

The administration has been asked to bring in a presentation how the planning of the project which, would receives suggestions from the Standing Committee.
NMMC has already demarcated space in the pond where locals can wash their clothes. A wall is constructed to avoid the dirty water mixing in the pond. Even residents in the city have voiced concern over the deteriorating condition of ponds and said that there was an immediate need to restore them.

The tenders have been taken out and work orders would be given out by December, said the Commissioner.

State Assembly Highlights

The maiden session of the newly-formed Maharashtra Assembly, which witnessed unruly scenes on the first day, ended with after the Speaker was elected. The winter session will begin on December 8 in Nagpur, was announced on the last. In our weekend bulletin today we bring to you all the highlights of the three days of the maiden session of the newly formed Maharashtra Assembly.
The maiden session of the newly-formed Maharashtra Assembly, which witnessed unruly scenes on the first day, ended with the Governor S C Jamir’s address. Here are the other highlights.
The maiden session of the newly-formed Maharashtra Assembly ended with the Governor S C Jamir’s address. The Governor addressed a joint sitting of the 12th legislature today. All the MLAs in the 288-member House were administered oath. The winter session will begin on December 8 in Nagpur, it was announced here.

State Excise and Non Conventional Energy Minister Ganesh Naik and Airoli MLA Sandeep Naik took oath in the assembly. The father-son duo arrived together for the first session of the new assembly at Vidhan Bhavan. Ganesh Naik took the oath with the other top Ministers of the state. On the other hand MLA Sandeep Naik took oath post lunch.

Young MLAs, from whom there are sky high expectations, chose to remain silent learners in their debut session. From Amit Deshmukh Praniti Shinde to Prashant Thakur and Sandeep Naik all followed the same strategy. Airoli MLA Sandeep Naik voiced confidence of that the team of young MLAs and senior would spell progress for the state.

Airoli Mla Sandeep Naik Thank Voters

The Navi Mumbai NCP had held a meet at the grounds of RAF Naik School in Koperkhairane to thank all the voters who voted in the state assembly elections.

The meet held by the NCP party at the RAF Naik grounds in Koperkhairane received massive response from the people. The meet was held to thank all the voters who voted in the state assembly elections. Addressing the crowd, Airoli MLA Sandeep Naik said that a lot of hurdle and obstacles was faced in the state assembly elections with the all the opposing parties coming together, but the voters voted for development. He added that his responsibilities towards the people had increased after becoming the MLA, but he would not work as an MLA but as a party worker of the NCP.

He further thanked the voters for voting for him. Later on, Belapur MLA Ganesh Naik addressing the present stated that the voters had rejected money power in Belapur and hooliganism in Airoli and voted for them. He further expressed distress over his opposition. He assured 4 FSI for slum dwellers and 2.5 FSI for CIDCO dilapidated buildings. Also present in the meet was Thane MP Dr. Sanjeev Naik, MLA Shashikant Shinde, Mathadi Leader Narendra Patil, Mayor Anjani Bhoir and others.

Belapur Mla Ganesh Naik And Airoli Mla Sandeep Naik Take Oath In The First Session Of The New Assembly

As the 288 members of the state assembly took oath, MLAs from Navi Mumbai – State Excise and Non Conventional Energy Minister Ganesh Naik and Airoli MLA Sandeep Naik taking the oath. Take a look.

In the midst of all political drama State Excise and Non Conventional Energy Minister Ganesh Naik and Airoli MLA Sandeep Naik took oath in the assembly. The father-son duo arrived together for the first session of the new assembly at Vidhan Bhavan. Ganesh Naik took the oath with the other top Ministers of the state. On the other hand MLA Sandeep Naik took oath post lunch.

This time NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar had given Ganesh Naik two plum portfolios. In contrast to the controversial Environment Dept., this time Sharad Pawar had given Ganesh Naik Excise and Non Conventional Energy that includes working on policies that can have far reaching impact on the energy resources of the state. With Ganesh Naik inducted as Minister in the state cabinet, his elder son Dr. Sanjeev Naik sitting in Delhi and younger son a MLA colleague, the expectations from this tenure of Ganesh Naik for the state and Navi Mumbai is sky high.

CIVIC BODY aims to complete A STRING OF LONG pending jobs Within THE NEXT three months

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation aims to accomplish several unfinished projects and public works within the next three months, before the code of conduct for the corporation elections scheduled in early 2010, comes into effect.
During the Standing Committee meeting held on Thursday, the group, led by newly-elected MLA and standing committee chief, Sandeep Naik, highlighted several health related issues and urged the civic officials to work on them more rigorously. "Normally in October and November, the number of dengue and malaria cases typically rises, but we are adopting better measures to handle the prevention of the disease as well as its treatment this year. The concerned department will conduct more fumigation and cleanliness drives over the next one month to control the spread of disease as well as look into medical facilities and increase them if need be," stated Naik.
Another key priority for the civic body will be to provide 24x7 water to the city as early as possible. "Morbe Dam, which is the main source of water for Navi Mumbai has a capacity of 450mld, but currently we are taking only 320mld. Our efforts will be to supply entire 450mld to the people of Navi Mumbai. As of now, NMMC is already giving 24 hours water supply in some parts of city, but we will try to cover the remaining areas by the end of the next quarter," added Naik.
The civic body's list of works is clearly defined for the next quarter. "From improving the corporation's co-ordination with other state government companies like MTNL and CIDCO, to simultaneously working on the corporation's inter-department co-ordination, it is all going to be part of the new initiative, spearheaded by the standing committee, and executed by the civic administration.
On his part, Municipal Commissioner Vijay Nahata said that the corporation's team will work overtime to curb the mosquito menace in the city and ensure that the cases of malaria and dengue are kept under control.
DNA News

NMMC has issued notices and if the societies continue to waste water

MLA Sandeep Naik had reiterated this during the weekly Standing Committee meeting when the subject of 24 hours water supply from Morbe Dam was raised by a member. When the proposal of laying additional pipelines from Morbe Dam came for approval, Sandeep Naik said that Navi Mumbai was lucky that it is getting regular water supply and is working towards 24 hours when neighboring cities like Mumbai and Thane, though being rich corporations could not even dream of this as they failed to plan anything like this for their cities.

The NMMC was charging residents only Rs. 4.75 per unit as water charge while the difference of Rs. 3.25 is being borne by NMMC. This is a financial burden and even then there is continuous wastage of water by big housing societies. That’s why NMMC has issued notices and if the societies continue to waste water, NMMC will register serious charges against them.

The action will include collecting penalty or even disconnecting water supply to erring housing societies. The administration is also using the help of advertisements to create awareness on this front. We also tried to gauge the response of tax paying citizens on this initiative of NMMC and will it benefit.

A Truly people’s victory

Success of belief in vision and reality of progress & development ignoring the divisive issues of caste creed, religion & region.
DNA News.

Proving All Critics Wrong – It’s Again Ganesh Naik The Badshah Of Navi Mumbai

Dynastic rule was made the single biggest allegation against the Naik family in these assembly elections. Every candidate made this an issue to attack Ganesh Naik and Sandeep Naik’s candidature appealing voters to vote against them. But the voters have given a fitting reply to these allegations said Ganesh Naik after the results were announced as he once again established that he is the badshah of Navi Mumbai.

With Dr. Sanjeev Naik having been given the parliamentary candidature from Thane Lok Sabha constituency, the allegations of dynastic rule by the Naik family had begun. And when Sandeep Naik’s candidature was announced from Airoli, the opposition made dynastic rule of the Naik family a poll issue. So much so that the Congress corporators united and resigned from the party naming the past district Chief Namdeo Bhagat as the Congress rebel candidate against Ganesh Naik in Belapur constituency and Vasant Mhatre as the Congress rebel candidate from Airoli constituency. But the rebel factor seems to have had no impact on the electoral results as NCP candidates won with a comfortable lead in both Airoli and Belapur constituency. When the media posed this question to Ganesh Naik, he said that he has never criticized the act of the Congress rebel even during the elections.

On the questions of allegations of dynastic rule, he said that the voters of Navi Mumbai have given a fitting reply to these allegations by voting for progress and development. Ganesh Naik also shared with the media his immediate priorities for his constituency. Ganesh Naik thanked voters for continuing to support progressive thoughts and stable leadership. There were so many allegations of dynastic rule, criticism and rebel factor against Ganesh Naik in Navi Mumbai during these elections but the results have established again that Ganesh Naik is indeed the badshah of Navi Mumbai politics and the citizens’ first choice for their leadership.
NMTV News

Airoli Mla Sandeep Naik Pays Gratitude For Voters Support And Faith

During the last public rally, Sandeep Naik had appealed to voters to show the same trust in him that the voters had shown in his father Ganesh Naik and brother MP Dr. Sanjeev Naik. And the statement seems to have appealed with the voters who have elected Sandeep Naik as their MLA from Airoli constituency.

This appeal of the young and dynamic NCP candidate from Airoli seems to have appealed to voters of Airoli constituency all the way to polling booths. Sandeep Naik stands for the third generation leaders of the Naik family. He is progressive, dynamic and provided good governance as Standing Committee Chairman of NMMC for almost three consecutive years. He represents that breed of young politicians who know what they are saying – the breed that is sensible, make intelligent talks and then walks their talks. As Standing Committee Chairman of NMMC, Sandeep Naik earned the reputation of taking courageous decisions. His work and popular drive of “Chairman at your Doorsteps” helped Sandeep Naik meet people across Navi Mumbai, from posh localities to the dusty roads of gaonthan and slum settlements around the city. Throughout he earnestly tried to solve civic problems. His work had impressed the party leadership of NCP so much that despite opposition, Sandeep Naik was given candidature from Airoli constituency.

And indeed Sandeep Naik lived upto the faith shown on him as he won the elections from Airoli constituency with a margin of 11957. Post his victory, Sandeep Naik said that his priority would be public work in Airoli. He also thanked voters for showing the same faith in him that they have shown in Ganesh Naik and MP Dr. Sanjeev Naik.
NMTV News

Ganesh Naik Wins From Belapur And Sandeep Naik From Airoli

NCP Congress Belapur candidate Ganesh Naik beat his nearest poll rival BJP-Shiv Sena’s Candidateds with a margin of 12, 873 while Sandeep Naik has won from Airoli constituency with a margin of 11, 957.

Navi Mumbai does not want change – the voters have voted for continuity and progress – continuity of Ganesh Naik’s leadership in Navi Mumbai and his progressive thoughts. And this time voters have not just shown belief in Ganesh Naik’s leadership but have extended their faith to his son Sandeep Naik – the Congress-NCP candidate from Airoli constituency as well as both the father-son are the voters choice of MLA from Belapur and Airoli constituency. As the counting for the Belapur constituency began from 8 am at the counting center at Vashi, Ganesh Naik’s lead just kept increasing in every round. By the time the 22 rounds of counting ended, NCP-Congress candidate Ganesh Naik secured 59, 685 votes as against his nearest poll rival BJP-Shiv Sena candidate Suresh Haware’s 46812 votes, giving Ganesh Naik a victory with a margin of 12873 votes.

Speaking to the media post his victory, Ganesh Naik said that the voters of Navi Mumbai have proven that he is after all the people’s candidate. On the other hand all did not seem well in the Airoli constituency when the voting began.

Only when counting of votes began from Koperkhairane and reached to sectors of Vashi and Turbhe, did Sandeep Naik winner with a lead of 11957 votes. The total votes that Sandeep Naik garnered were 79075 as against the 67118 garnered by Shivsena condidate. Post his victory, Sandeep Naik thanked voters who showed confidence in the party leadership of NCP.

The tradition of secularism & communal harmony is the hallmark of the Naik family & it is being followed generation to generation. After the Lok Sabha elections, the state assembly elections had become the biggest challenge for the first family of Navi Mumbai. And neither the change mantra, nor dynastic rule or Congress rebels could change the results that have proven that the support to the Naik family is as heady and strong even now as it has been for 4 decades. Indeed Navi Mumbai's love affair with the Naik family continues.

Father-son duo clean sweep in Navi Mumbai

INDIAN EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
IT WAS a clean sweep for the Nationalist Congress Party in Navi Mumbai with the father-son duo of Ganesh Naik and Sandeep Naik emerging victorious in Belapur and Airoli, the two Assembly constituencies in the satellite city.
While it was a smooth ride for three-term MLA and state excise, labour and environment minister Ganesh Naik against BJP's Suresh Haware, son Sandeep Naik faced nervous moments as Shiv Sena's Vijay Chougule steadily garnered more votes in the initial phase of the counting. Despite having lost to Sandeep's brother Sanjeev Naik in the Thane constituency in the recent Lok Sabha elections by over 40,000 votes, the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance had again fielded Airoli corporator Chougule to challenge the Naik supremacy.
In what seemed like a neck-to-neck fight in the first 15 rounds of counting, the battle tilted heavily in favour of NMMC standing committee chairman Sandeep Naik. In the remaining eight rounds towards the end, Chougule suffered serious setbacks in Bonkode, Kopar Khairne and large parts of Vashi.
Chougule, at one point, saw a lead of 2200 votes against Naik when votes from Airoli were being counted. In the end, however, out of the total of 1, 57,751 valid votes cast in the constituency, Naik got a lead of 11,957 votes. Naik got 79,075 votes while Chougule managed 67,118.
When asked the reason for not securing a good number of votes from Airoli, Sandeep said, "All party workers have worked equally hard in all places. It is just natural that some people have a stronghold in certain areas. But since a majority of voters have shown trust in me, I will try to win over the rest of them too," Sandeep said.
Chougule, a former right hand man of Ganesh Naik left the party to rejoin Shiv Sena in 2007.

Naiks sweep Navi Mumbai

( ) I have always been the people's candidate. Our victory proves that people identify with the ideals of Sharad Pawar and Sonia Gandhi and... have lots of affection for us.
GANESH NAIK (60, NCP), five-time MLA, whose son has now won his first Assembly election

It's official. The Naiks rule Navi Mumbai.
Not only is 60-year-old Nationalist Congress Party leader Ganesh Naik back for a fifth term as MLA, this time he has son Sandeep (31) in tow.
Naik, a minister with three portfolios in the outgoing government, beat his nearest rival -- top builder but political novice Suresh Haware (53) of the BJP --by over 12,000 votes in Belapur.
Son Sandeep, a corporator since 2005, defeated Naik loyalist-turned-arch rival Vijay Chougule (47) in Airoli by 11,907 votes.
"I have always been the people's candidate and they have once again proved it," said Naik.
"Our victory proves that people identify with the ideals of Sharad Pawar and Sonia Gandhi and, at the local level, they have lots of affection for us."
Added Sandeep: "This victory is a vote for progress, secularism and peace."
Thursday's twin victories, combined with the fact that elder son Sanjeev (37) -- a former Navi Mumbai mayor -won a Thane Parliamentary seat in the national election held earlier this year, will boost Naik's status further within the NCP and cement the region's status as a family bastion.
The father-son duo successfully battled anti-incumbency, the emergence of the MNS and rebels candidates from the NCP and alliance partner Congress -- local Congress president Namdeo Bhagat (46) jumped into the fray as an Independent after he lost his ticket in seatsharing negotiations. The Naiks' main poll plank was development, with father and son repeatedly citing the Morbe Dam as a major achievement and promising more along the same lines.
The purchase of Morbe has made the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation -- where the NCP is in power too -- the first in the country to own its own dam.
With the pipelines ready, Navi Mumbai is now all set to receive 24x7 water supply, beating even neighbouring megalopolis Mumbai in this respect.
Other much-touted achievements include the 14-km ThaneBelapur Road Project, the only highway in the state on which no toll is levied, and the introduction of Volvo and CNG buses for public transport.
The NMMC is also planning to earn carbon credit by reducing methane gas emissions and converting garbage into fuel and fertiliser.
As for the future, the Naiks have promised an independent power generation project to ensure 24-hour power supply to the city.
Other promises include more vertical growth, especially for dilapidated buildings and no increase in taxes.
Hindustan times news

Navi Mumbai puts faith in Ganesh Naiks

Thane district Guardian Minister and Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) candidate Ganesh Naik retained his Belapur seat registering 59,685 of the total 1,46,342 votes cast during October 13 assembly polls. Shiv Sena-BJP's joint candidate Suresh Haware, who was expected to give a tough fight to the NCP heavyweight, garnered 46,812 votes, while Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) candidate Rajendra Mahale and independent contestant Namdeo Rama Bhagat bagged 19,569 and 14,516 votes respectively.
Naik maintained lead over other candidates right from the first round of the counting, held at Vashi's Sacred Heart School on Thursday. The veteran leader registered 429 more votes than Haware who received 2,222 votes in the first round. The initial two rounds saw Naik and Haware competing closely, but from the fifth round, the gap between the votes bagged by the two widened with Naik getting 3327 votes and the builder-turned-politician scoring 1,429 votes at the end of the round. By seventh round, Naik's lead soared by 6,418 and after 14th round he was 9,619 votes ahead and continued the rally till the final 23rd round.
Though, Naik enjoys strong voters base in Belapur, entry of the renowned builder Haware into politics around six months ago had led to few uncertainties in the constituency as the BJP along with ally Shiv Sena, ensured the saffron alliance left no stone unturned to see Naik's defeat. Besides, the last minute rebel by Bhagat and other city Congress corporators triggered speculations whether Naik would be able to make it to the House for the fourth term.
Bhagat, was expected to eat into maximum of Naik's votes, but that could not be seen happening for the ex-Navi Mumbai Congress chief. On the other hand, MNS's Rajendra (Pappu) Mahale receiving votes close to 20,000, is considered as the crucial factor behind BJP-Sena losing the seat.
"The victory is due to the love and faith people of Navi Mumbai have in me. People have elected me because of the hard work put by me and our activists for the city through corporation and other channels," said an elated Ganesh Naik. When asked whether the lead he took was up to the expectations, he said, "For me winning the election is more important. If the lead is not as per the expectation, then it's because of the non co-operation by some of the city Congressmen. However, we are happy with whatever support we received from others in the Congress party."
DNA news

Three cheers to the first family

After elder son Sanjeev Naik wins parliamentary polls, Ganesh Naik and younger son Sandeep make it to the Assembly

By clinching both the assembly seats from the city, Airoli and Belapur, the Naiks underlined their supremacy in Navi Mumbai politics on Thursday. Minister in the incumbent Ashok Chavan cabinet and sitting Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA, Ganesh Naik, retained his Belapur seat by overcoming tough challenges put up by Shiv Sena-BJP candidate Suresh Haware and other assembly aspirants, while his younger son Sandeep surpassed Navi Mumbai Shiv Sena chief Vijay Chauguley in Airoli. Ganesh Naik's elder son Sanjeev is already a MP from Thane.
"Ganesh Naik has put 40 years of his life for the wellbeing of Navi Mumbai. His two sons are also working for the development of the satellite city 24X7. During campaigning, the NCP was accused of indulging into dynastic politics as Sanjeev is already representing Thane Lok Sabha seat and Ganesh Naik and Sandeep were contesting from Belapur and Airoli respectively. But the charges levelled by our opponents did not fruition as seen from the two wins," said Deputy Mayor and NCP leader Shashikant Birajdar.
He further said, "The victories by Naiks was, in fact, of all those who believe in secular ideology since people speaking different languages and hailing from all the castes and religions elected him as their leader once again. Naiks are idols for all party activists working at the grassroots level."
"Our opponents in Airoli and Belapur tried to woo voters by using money and muscle power, but the work by Naiks and their popularity sailed through all odds," the Deputy Mayor accused. The NCP though is not pleased with the low margin with which Ganesh Naik bagged the seat considering the thumping victory he had registered in the 2004 legislative assembly polls.
Birajdar said, "Winning is important for us, but as a party unit, we are not pleased with the low margin. It is high time we take corrective measures as we have worked really hard in every nook of the city, but could garner low votes in both the seats. It definitely is not a matter of pride for us. We will work harder so that we don't land in trouble during the municipal elections to be held over next few months."
DNA news

Airoli Constituency Candidate Sandeep Naik ,Cast Their Vote

Congress – NCP Airoli candidate Sandeep Naik cast his vote from the Airoli constituency with his father and mentor Ganesh Naik and the entire Naik family at R F Naik School at Koperkhairane.

If there is any candidate who seemed to have gone on a spree of seeking blessings of the God AlMighty before casting his vote and beginning the V-Day it was Sandeep Naik. The dynamic youth candidate from Airoli started his day with a series of visits to religious places, first from the home of a well wisher and then at Bhavkeshlwar Temple.

From Bhavkaleshwar Temple, Sandeep Naik headed to Shaneeswar Temple at Nerul. After Shaneeswar Temple, Sandeep Naik stopped at the Durgah at Bonkode village. And after seeking blessings, Sandeep Naik arrived at R F Naik where he cast his vote in the presence of his father Ganesh Naik, brother MP Dr. Sanjeev Naik and other members of the Naik family. His brother MP Dr. Sanjeev Naik after the family caste their vote. Though this is Sandeep Naik’s first assembly elections, his seasoned style of being a youth politician has already earned him a lot of admiration of the party leadership and public. Beyond any doubt, Sandeep Naik belongs to that young brigade of politicians who hold a promising and progressive future for the state of Maharashtra.