Pramod and Pravin Mahajan
lived in this ground floor flatHundreds of people associated with Pramod Mahajan are praying for his recovery and joining them are the residents of Guru Ashish, a building opposite Chembur police station on RC Marg.

Before moving to his Worli flat, BJP general secretary Pramod Mahajan who was shot at by his brother on April 22 lived in Guru Ashish. Mahajan moved to Chembur with his wife Rekha, kids Rahul and Poonam in 1975. Pravin, the younger brother who shot Mahajan, lived in the same flat for about four years.

Though the Mahajans moved out of the 2 BHK flat in 1992, neighbours say they share warm relations with the family and are concerned about Mahajans health.

Pravin uncles wedding was held here
- Jasmeet Singh
Resident of Guru AshishJasmeet Singh, a friend of Rahul, lives next to Mahajans Flat No 8. He says, We were shocked when we heard the news. Pramod and Pravin uncle shared a very good equation when they lived here. In fact, Pravin uncles wedding was hosted in our building.

Pravin moved to Thane soon after his marriage to Sarangi. Singh adds, Pravin uncle used to drop me and Rahul to the Ghatkopar swimming pool on his scooter. He was very friendly.

A Gujarati family that lives in the same building but does not wish to be identified says, We moved here in 1990 and hence did not spend too much time with the Mahajans. But they were nice people. Pramod always exchanged smiles in the corridors. After Pramod shifted to Delhi for a while, his wife and children used to live alone.

We hope Pramod Mahajan recovers soon
- Vikas Chemburkar
Resident of Guru AshishThe family says that while Pramod Mahajan had not visited the society recently, his daughter and wife were often here to catch up with old neighbours.

One incident we vividly remember is when we were locked out of our house and had requested Poonam to squeeze in through the window. She got into our house, opened the door from inside and let us all in, says a member of the family, adding, We hope Pramodji recovers soon.

Pramod Mahajan, one of the younger faces of BJP, got a headstart to his political career in Chembur.

Jay Singh Navade, Mahajans close associate, says, "Pramod shifted to Chembur from Ambejagaon in the 70s. He contested his first Lok Sabha election in 1984 against Gurudas Kamat from Mumbai Northeast constituency, which he lost. But in 1989 he won the seat."

Mahajans neighbours too were not surprised by his meteoric rise in the field of politics. D Gujral, a resident of Guru Ashish, says, "Weve seen Mahajan and Gopinath Munde take their morning walks on RC Marg and discuss politics.

Dinanath Bhate, another neighbour, says, "Pramod used to take his morning walks in the societys garden everyday. He has done a lot of work for our society. There was an illegal encroachment here that he got cleared. He has also helped us install a bigger water pipe in the area.

riddhi.doshi@mid-day.com