Some politicians in our Maharashtra state don’t need a party per se banner to win elections. They take any banner and they win it. For such candidates, these people are never dependent on funds coming from parties, which flag to be carried in their hands to ask votes, who is their godfather, or whether they will get the ticket from the party they represent at that time, such questions never ever trouble them! They are like warriors. Be it power or not be in power, such people you will find on streets first, just doing their jobs everyday. Such people are actually called the real ‘Samaj Sevaks’ …No, they aren’t like those typical people who use RTI to blackmail, fake environmentalists having tree planting foundations and sole agenda to earn money…these are the ones who are the jokers of the society… such people feed on inviting celebrities/bureaucrats for one small event, using their own wives/daughters to enter big people’s homes and the whole life of such people just goes on showing their photos on instagram with big people and getting work done. Except for clearing a few files here and there, Liasioning, earning money through blackmailing is the main agenda behind such FAKE Samaj sevaks! Such people will put any chameleon to shame when it comes to our Mumbai. So many examples are there, we have daughter of a prestigious family name now in her 50’s who is known to spoil wives of politicians, we have one flop actor who has used his connections and got big into real estate, then we have a person who uses his young daughter to enter politicians home, through the back gate and in the name of foundation. No these aren’t Samaj Seavak’s but one genuine person whom I see in the lot is RAHOOL KANAL.
Rahool Kanal has had his own share of controversies in his life, but today we will not touch that. Friendship for him is everything, is what I can say. Now I haven’t met Rahool more than once or twice. I had met him during Hotel Shalimar (Bandra) days when he rooted for Late Baba Siddique, and the second time was when had a handshake at the prayer meet of Late Abid Rizvi who had died in a terrorist attack in Turkey. But I have always got good vibes from him. Mano Yaa Na Mano whosoever has served Bandra West as MLA or corporator no one will take away the ‘youngness, plushness and class’ rahool has brought to our Bandra. He might have changed 2 parties to finally coming to Eknath Shinde’s Shivsena but what I feel and know is that Rahool has always treated his work as his God and no matter who has been his mentor. His foremost respect, loyalty and Godfather remains Shri Late Balasaheb Thackeray. If you or even heard of Rahool, let me tell you he knows everyone. Right from a kitty party aunty or girl gang from Juhu to the Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Salman Khan or any big person you say from Andheri to Bandra, they will have only good things to say about Rahool and his vivacious and ever ready to helping nature.
Today, he might not be with his initial days mentor Late Baba Siddique, but I know deep down Baba was like family to him. It was with Baba, Rahool got his roots formed in the politics of Mumbai. See, I don’t know what Rahool has in him. whosoever sees him, immediately gets closer to him. No, he ain’t the type who will win you with money or charm of bollywood, it is his nature, I am told! I don’t know his magic tantra. But when he entered Shiv Sena (when it was one party) I saw him jump the ranks and become one of Aaditya Thackeray’s closest associates. In fact, I don’t know what conspired, but Rahool’s name got dragged in two controversies which had put him down, but he wasn’t out. Then he was raided by the Income Tax early in the morning. Rahool wasn’t married then and lived in Bandra with his aging parents. You guys won’t believe it, I hadn’t spoken or known Rahool for donkey’s years, but when the raid was going on, I called his number, to which he answered and just told him, ‘Take care of Dad’ and hung up. Somewhere I think I have a habit of standing next to people who are always in trouble. My favourite life mantra is ‘हम सुख के नहीं, आपके दुख के साथी है ” Accordingly I was never a part of his famous wedding celebrations nor his HUGE extravaganja household Ganpati where the likes of Rane’s, Shinde’s, Fadnavis and Kohli’s attended!
Today without expecting even a cup of tea, I felt the need to write for him for the first time. Read in papers that he wants to contest Kalina constituency and formally come in the role of a politician after working hard for 20 years +. . He has competition, I don’t know if he will get a ticket or NO, but I thought, why not bat for him. Reason is simple, as I said, he might have had a past, but for me in this entire city, if I can name 3 to 4 young politicians (Please, I don’t consider Milind Deora or Rahul Narvekar young) who will and can bring a change if given a chance, I have my list ready. Aaditya Thackeray, Mohit Kamboj, Nitesh Rane, Shrikant Shinde are proving their mettle and in this list if anyone fits the bill, it has to be Rahool Kanal. Yes, this boyish looking gentleman has a heart of gold. I googled his achievements, believe me, if I put them here, they will not do justice. Kalina Vidhan Sabha, popularly known as Santacruz East of Mumbai has many takers today. This locality has always been Kripashankar Singh’s den. If and only if BJP does not give its candidate here, I will put my money on Rahool Kanal to become the MLA of this place. Now understand, with time, Kalina has achieved a drastic importance due to the number of 5 star hotels, its connectivity with Western and the Eastern Mumbai and of course, the airport. Today, Kalina might look like Waheeda Rehmaan to us, old and beautiful, but today it needs a bit of re-branding if I may say so…and to bring that plushness to the area along with class and beautification who is equipped with energy, wisdom, knowing the pulse of what needs to be done, I don’t think anyone will do it better than Rahool. I Love BANDRA, JUHU, etc, the big letters you see, is his brainchild. He is the man who will do everything but in style– From blood donation camps to taking care of stray animals like his own babies, from providing food to sanitary pads, from beautifying an area to getting funds for development, Rahool knows the game. I would request CM EKnath Shinde to give this young lad a chance to serve Kalina constituency which will look younger, brighter and better if he gets a chance to serve!!
– Vikrant Hemant Joshi
