In a move that left many Mumbaikars scratching their heads, former Union Minister Smriti Irani recently took a ride on the Mumbai local train between Vasai and Bhayandar. But here’s the twist: the train, typically a wild ride for the city’s commuters, was almost empty. This wasn’t just any train journey—it was a political spectacle wrapped in an “everyday” commute.
#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: BJP leader Smriti Irani travelled in Mumbai Local between Vasai & Bhayandar to attend 'Mahila Sammelan'. (08.11) pic.twitter.com/FS1ro69dyX
— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2024
Irani, who was en route to attend a BJP ‘Mahila Sammelan,’ shared moments of casual conversation with passengers, no doubt to connect with the masses—just weeks before the Maharashtra elections. However, what got netizens talking wasn’t her speech on women’s empowerment; it was the eerily empty train she rode in. As any Mumbaikar will tell you, the local trains, especially during rush hours, are synonymous with chaos—packed to the brim with office-goers fighting for a spot to breathe. Yet, here was Irani, sitting comfortably without a commuter in sight.
The reaction online? Hilarious. One user quipped, “Mumbai local train itna khali kaise hai?” (How is this local train so empty?), while another joked, “Looks like an exclusive train for politicians.” And truth be told, the question on everyone’s mind is: Was this train just for her?
Was it a special train for @smritiirani
— saneyedoc (@saneyedoc1) November 10, 2024
It looked very "unlocal" with no passengers at all
What time was it?@INCMaharashtra @BJP4Maharashtra
Others, mindful of the rush-hour madness, couldn’t help but ask whether Irani’s train journey took place during the “off-peak” hours—sometime between 5 PM to 7 PM when the city’s packed trains would make any politician reconsider their travel choices. The most pointed comment came from a netizen who said, “Try taking this ride on a Monday at 8 AM. That’s when you’ll get the ‘local’ experience.”
Day – Sunday
— Seedhi si baat hai (@SeedhiSiBaatHai) November 11, 2024
Time – night
Coach – 1st class
Route – Vasai to Bhayandar (2 stations)
Got the guts to travel in second class on the same route between 5pm to 7pm any day between Monday to Friday?
Of course, some didn’t miss the chance to turn this into a political jab. Many pointed out that such stunts happen only around election time, with leaders suddenly “connecting with the common people” as voting day approaches. “Political leaders think about us only when elections are around,” commented one sceptical user.
Yet, amid the jokes and scepticism, others appreciated the attempt. One user defended the former minister: “Smriti Irani’s decision to travel by Mumbai Local to attend the ‘Mahila Sammelan’ shows a down-to-earth approach—trying to connect with the people she serves.”
Smriti Irani's decision to travel by Mumbai Local from Vasai to Bhayandar to attend the 'Mahila Sammelan' highlights her approach to connect with constituents in a relatable manner. It's a testament to her commitment to understanding and participating in the daily lives of the…
— Saroj (@i_m_saroj) November 10, 2024
Irani isn’t the first politician to take the local train for a photo-op. Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray also took a ride on the train ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, making this a well-trodden path for politicians who want to show they “understand the common man’s struggle” (or at least pretend to).
As the November 20 election looms, one thing is clear: when it comes to local trains, it’s not just the daily commute that’s overcrowded—it’s the political drama.
