Here’s a report card of Mumbai’s 32 MLAs

With just a year to go for the Maharashtra assembly elections, it is noted that accessibility to Mumbai’s MLAs have increased from 45.5% in 2017 to 53.3% in 2018. However, their average score of attendance in the assembly has reduced by 10% this year. Also, there has been an 8% increase in charges.

A report card for members of the legislative assembly (MLAs), compiled by Praja Foundation, was released on Tuesday. Despite an overall dip in performance, the 32 MLAs from Mumbai improved in some categories.

MLAs from BJP were perceived to be most accessible, followed by Shiv Sena and Congress. (AFP/Picture for representation)

The report showed the 32 MLAs asked fewer questions in 2018 and showed lower attendance. There was an 8% increase in the number of criminal cases filed against the MLAs. In the perceived least corrupt category, AIMIM (with one MLA) scored highest, followed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena.

For perceived accessibility, 22 MLAs from Mumbai scored between 50% and 80%. MLAs from BJP were perceived to be most accessible, followed by Shiv Sena and Congress.

Milind Mhaske of Praja Foundation said, “It is possible that with upcoming elections, elected representatives are working on connecting with citizens.”

Sanjay Nirupam, Mumbai Congress president, expressed surprise at BJP’s image of incorruptibility. “Congress has done nothing but consistently expose scams in the BJP government,” he said. President of Mumbai BJP, Ashish Shelar, said, “In sync with our party’s ideology, we work hard to connect with citizens.”