At 10.30 am, the janta and the karyakartas (party workers) await his arrival at his 'guest house, at Chheda Nagar in Chembur, northcentral Mumbai.
The security guard at the gate generously allows everyone inside. There is a lone police constable but surprisingly, the security isn't tight.
The names of at least 10 areas are scribbled on the what's-on-for-today election bulletin board, but no one knows where the candidate will campaign today.
Half-an-hour later, a loutish Alsatian sniffs the entire area. A police constable follows the dog around and retains his position at the entrance of the gate. However, the canine is not sniffing for any explosives. Sweety is the family dog and is out for a morning walk.
Apparently, Deepak Nikhalje, the Republican Party of India (Athawale) candidate and Chhota Rajan's brother, does not require heavy security.
"I am fearless!" he proclaims with pride with someone whose elder brother Rajendra Nikhalje is the fugitive gangster Chotta Rajan.
Photographs: Jewella C Miranda | Text: Rujuta Paradkar
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