Goyal holds meet, FB Live; Bhushan bike rally with Aaditya

Mumbai: Union minister Piyush Goyal wound up his campaigning in the Mumbai North constituency, considered a safe bet for the BJP, by holding a public meeting, a Facebook Live session, and relishing Mumbai’s favourite street food vada pav at a roadside stall in Borivali (West).
His rival, Congress’s Bhushan Patil, participated in a bike rally from morning until late afternoon, joined by Shiv Sena’s (UBT) Aaditya Thackeray, and visited a Hanuman temple in the evening.
The Mumbai North constituency witnesses a unique contest between senior Union minister Goyal and Congress’s Patil, both vying for a Lok Sabha seat for the first time.
During his Facebook Live session, Goyal reminisced about his college days, how he ventured into entrepreneurship at the age of 18, his train commute. Goyal’s team reached out to dignitaries across north Mumbai, including those from the medical field, entertainment, literature, finance, education and social sectors, to garner support for his candidature through messages.
Goyal along with his daughter visited a garden at Borivali West, thereafter walked to a nearby roadside vada pav stall for a snack break.
Goyal said he had covered 90% of the constituency in detail and understood the issues faced by people. He said, “I know that I am standing off LT Road (to have vada pav). I know most of the areas that I visited during the campaign to know the issues...”
Goyal spoke about the meetings he held at housing societies. “I could feel the love and the trust they place in the Modi govt, which was overwhelming.”
He said direct interactions with the citizens allowed him to gain a detailed understanding of civic issues. He also learned about the important daily life issues that matter to the citizens and explored potential solutions.
Thursday marked the 60th day of Goyal’s campaign after his party announced his candidacy for the Mumbai North constituency. Goyal moved into a new house in the area immediately after his name was announced.
Bhushan Patil said he was born and brought up in the constituency. Patil was fasting on Saturday and said he got overwhelming support from people of the constituency during his bike rally and was confident that they would elect him for Parliament.
Patil said, “I am a local, well aware of the local issues. I am also aware of the issues connected to the Parliament which will help me resolve problems. Being a local, I am getting overwhelming support from the people of the constituency who will elect me for Parliament.”