Over 20 lawyers have shed their symbolic black robes and entered the fray for the elections to Mumbai's 36 constituencies. Some say they entered politics by chance, while others have always had a political ideology, recalling how they accepted cases of only those politicians who matched that ideology.

“I am one of the few trustworthy lawyers the Sena-BJP has approached during every crisis. This is my first stint in politics but my affiliation with the party goes back to the days of the Emergency. I have been taking care of all cases registered against Gopinath Munde and Bal Thackeray,” says Deenanath Tiwari.

Before he became BJP candidate from Kalina, Tiwari, a senior advocate of the sessions court, has been known as “in- house” lawyer for the party. “I was part of the Youth Sangh. Though a lawyer, I have been active socially. My dedication has won me the ticket,” adds Tiwari, who is pitched against Congress MLA Kripashanker Singh.

For advocate and rights activist Shakil Ahmed, politics was a “natural” leap after fighting against police excesses and non-implementation of the recommendations of various fact-finding panels. The unassuming lawyer is contesting as an Independent from Sion-Koliwad.

"Before Independence, lawyers across India left their profitable profession to join the struggle. This is the only profession that deals with our Constitution from very close quarters and hence advocates should be expected to work towards preserving the essence of democracy," says Ahmed, contesting for the first time.

Criminal lawyer Rizwan Merchant, one of the highly paid and a specialist in narcotics cases, is the Samajwadi Party candidate for Bandra West. Merchant had helped Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt in the legal proceedings involved in the marriage with Manyata. "My work for the people earned me this ticket. I came in touch with Dutt after this case," says Merchant, pitted against Dutt's long-time friend, the Congress's Baba Siddique.

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