The 14 rebel MLAs from Karnataka, who have been holed up at Renaissance Hotel in Powai, have inadvertently ended up affecting the ecosystem around the hotel.
Earlier, 10 MLAs were staying at the hotel. They flew to Karnataka on Thursday and returned with four other MLAs on Thursday night, after which they continued staying at the hotel. The Mumbai Police have deployed personnel in the area round the clock for their protection.
The worst-hit were the autorickshaw drivers who pick up and drop passengers from outside the hotel. Thanks to the tight security at the hotel, the auto drivers found their access to the hotel curtailed. The number of customers also reduced as guests at the hotel chose to remain indoors rather than step out into the constant media frenzy outside.
“Most of our customers are foreigners who stay at the hotel. They have barely stepped out. I have lost a lot of business in the past three days,” said Sinodh Chauhan, an autorickshaw driver. Another autorickshaw driver said the police presence acted as a major deterrent.
The ongoing drama also affected the footfall at Jagdishwar Temple in Powai, which is not far from the hotel. A staff member at the temple, who did not wish to be named, said, “We see at least 80 visitors on weekdays and 200 on weekends, but hardly 20 devotees have come to offer their prayers on Thursday.”
Police personnel stationed around the hotel said they have been working 12-hour shifts. “At any given point of time, there are at least 40 to 50 of us deployed here,” said a constable.
On Wednesday, thanks to the continuous flow of political figures coming to visit the MLAs, the Mumbai Police had to invoke Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code, which prohibits public gatherings at a given spot. Police officials said this was a preventive measure undertaken to ensure peace, as the atmosphere at and around the hotel was sensitive and politically charged. The police also detained senior political leaders for several hours on Wednesday.
