After Bandra, Now Nmmt Begins New Service To Dindoshi In Mumbai

There more good news for bus commuters. Has introduced bus number 123 for its new service route from CBD to Dindoshi. The new bus service was officially commenced at the hands of State Excise and Non-Conventional Resources Minister Ganesh Naik at CBD Bus Depot.

Introduced its first bus service to Mumbai city by plying buses from CBD to Bandra. After receiving a good response from the commuters, it has decided to start service to another route – this time from CBD to Dindoshi. Bus number 123 of NMMT will be playing on this route. These buses, which have been acquired under the JNNURM Scheme, will be playing on various routes in Mumbai. The bus service from CBD to Dindoshi was officially inaugurated at CBD Belapur Bus Depot at the hands of State Excise and Non-Conventional Resources Minister Ganesh Naik. Navi Mumbai Mayor Anjani Bhoir was also present during the ceremony. Ganesh Naik, along with other members enquired about the routes the buses will be plying to. While speaking to the media, Ganesh Naik stated that this service would not be profitable to the transport body but will be beneficial for the commuters as well.

When questioned on how BEST makes creates hassles in Mumbai, the Minister stated that instead of competing, BEST should focus on improving its service. He also opined that in order to tackle the tussle between BEST, Transport Secretary and Transport Commissioner should have a talk with the respective officials and take a decision after listening to both the parties.

Manager Jitendra Papalkar gave an insight about the routes of the new bus service. Further speaking about the new routes he stated that the transport body is thinking of plying some buses out of the 10 buses on Dadar route. He was positive that like the bus services to Bandra, if this one would receive a good response.

When asked about the cold war between BEST, he stated that they believe in healthy competition but their vision is to provide good and efficient service. As far as ticket fares are concerned, he indicated that they might consider increasing them.

Launched its AC Volvo bus services from CBD Belapur to Bandra, BEST too began AC bus service. Now that NMMT has planned to go to Dindoshi, there are chances that the competition.

Musical Evening Marks The 10th Anniversary Celebration Of Seal Charitable Trust

Seal Ashram celebrated its 10th anniversary celebrations amongst eminent musicians and guitarists. A host of personalities like Excise Minister Ganesh Naik and actor Pooja Bhatt were also present.

Seal Ashram celebrated its 10th anniversary celebrations in grand style and with immense enthusiasm. Seal Ashram in Panvel is a shelter for the destitute where the people lying on the streets, the poor and the needy are brought in by this trust to take care of. The ashram also shelters orphans, HIV AIDS patients and mentally retarded. In this endeavor of theirs, the trust has been able to provide food, clothing and education to the destitute till they can stand on their own feet. Completing 10 years of this mission of theirs, a grand celebration was held called the Seal Charity Festival which saw a huge crowd of people participating. For the audience, there was a bounty of musical artists who performed for them. From the guitarist, to the flutist and to the singer, all hearts were captured by their performance.

However, the one performance that won the hearts of the people and left them awestruck was the performance by the who created music with ordinary items like bisleri can. Amongst the dignitaries present were Excise Minister Ganesh Naik, actor Pooja Bhatt and founder of Seal Pastor Philips The guests were all praises of Seal and the performance.

Actor Pooja Bhatt saluted the work done by Seal. We also caught up with other dignitaries on the day. In the end, we caught up with the organizer of the event who thanked the lord on their completion of 10 years and informed that going ahead their first priority would be to start a hospital under their wing.

State Excise Minister Ganesh Naik Orders Immediate Repair Work For Sanpada Bridge After Inspection

Looks like authorities have finally woken up to the dangers of weak bridges along rail routes post the Kopri incident. In the course, State Excise and Non-Conventional Resources Minister Ganesh Naik paid an inspection visit along with officials at the Sanpada Bridge that has been reeling under unsafe conditions for years. The Minister has ordered immediate repair work of the bridge.

Every year, Dutta Jayanti is organized on a grand scale on December 1st at the Dutt Temple at Sanpada. Lakhs of devotees from all over the city and nearby areas come at the temple for Dutt Jayanthi. And scores of these devotees use the Sanpada railway bridge to reach the temple. The Sanpada bridge that was built years ago jointly by CIDCO and Railways was never maintained post its construction. This is one of the reasons why the bridge reels under highly deplorable conditions. Continuous movement of trains on the rail routes underneath the bridge has led to it being in shaky conditions putting the lives of commuters using it at risk. For years the locals have been demanding that the bridge be repaired but all in vain. At last, State Excise and Non-Conventional Resources Minister Ganesh Naik visited the bridge for an inspection. He was accompanied by MP Dr. Sanjeev Naik, MLA Sandeep Naik, Commissioner Vijay Nahata, CIDCO Officer B K Hariya and others. During the visit Ganesh Naik was seen issuing instructions to carry out immediate reconstruction of the bridge. The locals of Sanpada had been appealing Ganesh Naik to pay attention to the condition of the bridge for a year now. Earlier Ganesh Naik had mooted the idea of a subway but now he opined that an escalator bridge would be a better option.

Since the plans of an escalator bridge would take time and Dutta Jayanthi is coming closer, Ganesh Naik ordered that authorities work of providing some support to the bridge for the festival. He also ordered that special care be taken on the festival day for the safety of devotees using the bridge. For this Ganesh Naik ordered a technical inspection of the bridge at the earliest.

Without mincing words, Ganesh Naik held CIDCO responsible for the present condition of the bridge. It is a known fact that there are many such bridges on rail routes on the city that CIDCO and Railways both refuse to repair passing the buck of responsibility on the other. Ganesh Naik said that if shortage of funds is the reason for this, then they would consider repairing them with JNNURM funds. Ganesh Naik said that there many flaws in CIDCO work, which would be corrected. Sanpada Bridge is one of the biggest issues that haunt locals. Hence it will be a wait and watch when this order of the Minister is executed by officials.

Free Ayurvedic Blood Camp Held At Nerul

Excise and Non-Conventional Energy Minister Ganesh Naik was present during the inauguration of a free blood check up camp at Ayurvedic Village in Nerul.

The Ayurvedic Village Therapy Centre, on the occasion of World Diabetes Day had organized a free medical check up and blood check up camp. State Excise and Non Conventional Energy Minister Ganesh Naik was present to inaugurate the camp. Praising the centre, State Minister Ganesh Naik said that Ayurveda methods gives a peace to the mind and urged the people to use the facilities at the centre. Free medical consultation and blood check up was an opportunity for people to get aware about diabetes, an increasing concern amongst Indians. The Ayurvedic treatments are gaining popularity here A senior Diabetologist explained the advantage of Ayurveda over Allopathy.

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.

Belapur Mla Ganesh 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.

Ganesh Naik Gets Excise

Chief minister Ashok Chavan announced the portfolios after hectic lobbying for the creamy and sensitive revenue department. Both Narayan Rane and Patangrao Kadam were eyeing it and the CM gave it to Rane on the high command’s order. Kadam has been given the lesser important forest ministry. Following are the portfolios given to the top Congress Ministers:
ASHOK CHAVAN
PORTFOLIO - Hsg & Urban Devpt, Cultural Affairs.
EARLIER HELD - Urban Devpt, Housing, Protocol
NARAYAN RANE
PORTFOLIO - Revenue
EARLIER HELD - Industries and Ports
BALASAHEB THORAT
PORTFOLIO - Agri, Water Conservation, School Edu
EARLIER HELD - Agriculture
R VIKHE-PATIL
PORTFOLIO – Transport
EARLIER HELD - School Education, Law
PATANGRAO KADAM
PORTFOLIO – Forest
EARLIER HELD - Revenue, Rehabilitation
The portfolios held by top NCP Ministers
CHHAGAN BHUJBAL
PORTFOLIO - Public Works Department
EARLIER HELD - PWD
AJIT PAWAR
PORTFOLIO - Energy and Water Resources
EARLIER HELD - Water Resources
R R PATIL
PORTFOLIO - Home Department
He was Dy CM with addl. charge of Home
JAYANT PATIL
PORTFOLIO - Rural Development
EARLIER HELD - Home
SUNIL TATKARE
PORTFOLIO - Finance & Planning
EARLIER HELD - Energy

GANESH NAIK
PORTFOLIO - Excise
EARLIER HELD - Excise, Environment

Intra-party fights within the Congress and NCP were responsible for the portfolios being finalised so late. Chavan made the announcement at around 11.30 pm on Sunday night.

Guru Nanak Jayanthi is the birth anniversary of the founder of the Sikh faith

The weeklong celebrations come to an end as the Sikhs of the city, celebrated the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of the Sikh faith.

Guru Nanak Jayanthi is the birth anniversary of the founder of the Sikh faith who was born in the month of Kartik. Born in 1469 A.D. at Tolevandi, some 30 miles from Lahore, the religion of Sikhism was founded is the result of his great vision, dedication and devotion. For the Sikhs it is a time of celebration. Men, women, and children, participated in this karseva as service to the community, cook food and distribute it in the 'Guru ka Langar', with the traditional 'Karah Prasad'. The Sikhs also visit gurudwaras where special programs are arranged and religious songs are sung in praise of guru nanak. A similar gathering was held at the Gurudwara at CBD Belapur where Thane Guardian Minister and Belapur MLA Ganesh Naik was present. He was welcomed with the traditional shawl and sword of the Sikhs. On the auspicious day of the Sikhs, a bridge was also inaugurated by Ganesh Naik making another walkway for the devotees of the gurudwara. Speaking to the media, Ganesh Naik said that he was not with the Sikh community but was amongst one of them. He prayed for strength to bring happiness in people’s lives.

Guru Nanak Dev was a great seer, saint and mystic. A prolific poet and a unique singer of God's laudation, for the Sikhs he was the messenger of peace, love, truth and renaissance who spent most of his life in meditation and spiritual practices. Guru Nanak Dev believed in and preached the concept of one god, one without any physical form. That is why the Sikhs don't worship idols.

The magic of the secular leader of the masses continues – Ganesh Naik

For a leader who proved his magic for nearly four decades, assembly elections 2009 seemed to be the biggest battle for Ganesh Naik. His opponents tried everything possible to defeat Ganesh Naik in the assembly elections but the results have shown that the magic of the secular leader of the masses continues – Ganesh Naik has proven again that he is the undisputed badshah of Navi Mumbai politics.

In the assembly elections 2009, wherever one visited either Belapur or Airoli constituencies, you were sure to have complicated “who will undercut who” calculations flung at you. In the last three months of election campaigning the BJP-Shiv Sena continuously talked about the change mantra that was all set to conquer Navi Mumbai while the united strength of Congress rebels were over confident of toppling the dynastic rule of the Naik family. These cards could have worked in some other constituency, not in Navi Mumbai. Navi Mumbai is one place where the caste-religion arithmetic or the life force of Marathi heartland politics, change mantra or even dynastic rule never works. If anything works – it is only Ganesh Naik. Even after four decades, the magic of Ganesh Naik is such that no matter wherever Ganesh Naik goes in Navi Mumbai, the crowd gathered in thousands. In return of their love and admiration, Ganesh Naik is always sure to give his followers, supporters and well wishers a wholesome smile, a familiar nod, a wave of hand, an eye to eye connect or even a quick word coming their way. And each goes back gratified. It’s been four decades that Ganesh Naik has been enjoying this support of Navi Mumbai.

As one hears residents across the city and communities speak about Ganesh Naik, the results of Belapur and Airoli constituencies where Ganesh Naik and his son Sandeep Naik were contesting seems to be a foregone conclusion that we had reported way back on September 5th 2009. For those who were attacking Ganesh Naik and Sandeep Naik’s candidature for promoting “dynastic rule” – the voters have spelt their verdict. Voters in Navi Mumbai have proven that they are like stubborn children, fiercely attached to the first family of Navi Mumbai – the Naik family. This is primarily because Ganesh Naik has continuously engaged in promoting secularism & brotherhood in Navi Mumbai. The peace and communal harmony in Navi Mumbai when neighboring cities burnt during the Mumbai riots was evidence of this.

And it isn’t just the people’s love and support that has given Ganesh Naik a victory in these elections but his leadership is widely accepted across grass root Congress workers and even some Shiv Sena leaders in Navi Mumbai. The results are forcing even critics to admit that the work done by the Naik family in presenting the secular, vibrant and flamboyant image of Navi Mumbai at all levels is incomparable. That’s why no matter how much opponents try to malign Ganesh Naik’s image, but Navi Mumbai continues to have great respect & affection for the city real son Ganesh Naik. People of Navi Mumbai know that Ganesh Naik has invested in making a secular Navi Mumbai at the cost of political loss.

In democracy the stature you reach in politics is written by the people. And the people of Navi Mumbai have given their verdict by voting the Naik family to power both at Delhi and in Maharashtra – the people’s verdict once again proves that Ganesh Naik continues to be the undisputed badshah of Navi Mumbai politics.

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 Suresh Haware 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 overtake the saffron candidate and at the end of the 23 rounds of counting emerged as the winner with a lead of 11957 votes. The total votes that Sandeep Naik garnered were 79075 as against the 67118 garnered by Vijay Chougule. 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

It's a new son-rise for Ganesh Naik

NCP-Congress alliance candidate Sandeep Naik registered victory in a cut-throat competition from the Airoli constituency on Thursday. He defeated Shiv Sena-BJP candidate Vijay Chauguley, political archrival of the Naiks, by 11,964 votes. Sandeep managed to get 79,075 votes out of the total 1,57,751 votes cast, while 67,118 voters favoured Chauguley.
'Airoli strongman' Chauguley made a good start in the initial rounds by taking good lead; however as the counting went on, Sandeep covered up the gap and after the 22 rounds of the counting, it became clear that Sandeep would represent the Airoli constituency in the House for the next five years.
The counting session was full of drama, in fact. Sandeep clinched 3,687 and 3,282 votes in seventh and eight rounds respectively, while Chauguley could garner 3,199 and 3,224 votes in those rounds. Still, at end of eighth round Chauguley had a lead of 815 votes. Thereafter, the margin remained neck-to-neck till the 14th round. However, from the 15th round onwards, Sandeep maintained a clear lead till the final round.
"I thank all those people who supported me from the beginning of my campaign. On Thursday, I was a bit tensed when came to know that Chauguley was leading in the initial stages. However, I was confident about winning the polls. Now, my duty will be to identify the needs of the public and work accordingly. I will try my level best to fulfil our agenda," said an excited Sandeep. When asked whether he is happy with the margin with which he won, he answered, "I am happy with the margin since there was no MNS candidate and still we won with good margin. This indicates that youths and new voters registered with EC put faith in me. My victory is equally due to all NCP corporators and workers who put lots of efforts to the win from the constituency."
DNA 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 of Ganesh Naik

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."

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Belapur Candidates Ganesh Naik, Cast Their Vote

Congress – NCP candidate from 151 Belapur constituency Ganesh Naik caste his vote with his entire family at R F Naik School at Koperkhairane.

Thane Guardian Minister, sitting MLA and Congress – NCP candidate from 151 Belapur Constituency Ganesh Naik arrived with his family to caste his vote. A little past 7 in the morning Ganesh Naik arrived with his sons MP Dr. Sanjeev Naik, his younger son and NCP Airoli candidate Sandeep Naik and other members of the Naik family caste their vote at R F Naik School at Koperkhairane.

Since Koperkhairane falls in the Airoli constituency, the Naik family caste their vote for Sandeep Naik. Speaking to the media after casting their votes, Ganesh Naik said that he considered himself fortunate that he was getting an opportunity to vote for progressive thoughts in the form of his son Sandeep Naik. Ganesh Naik voiced confidence of the secular alliance emerging victorious in the state as well as the constituencies in Navi Mumbai. He added that it was incorrect to divide the community on the basis of language and region.

Well, the day of reckoning for Ganesh Naik is over and the fate of the most powerful secular leader of Navi Mumbai Ganesh Naik has been sealed by voters in the electronic voting machines. Is Ganesh Naik going to recreate his magic in these assembly elections or not? The city will find out on October 22.