BJP tried to stoke communal tension for last 2 years but failed: Congress Malad West candidate Aslam Shaikh

How is the campaigning going so far? What is your reading of this election?

Aslam Shaikh: This time also it is going to be a one-sided contest in Malad West, quite similar to what everyone has been seeing since 2009.

Nobody from the Mahayuti alliance wanted to contest against me from this seat.

They (BJP-Shiv Sena) tried to field many senior leaders here, but nobody agreed to contest.

Malad West is a seat that the Mahayuti alliance knows they cannot win.

Therefore, they have fielded a new contestant who is not even a local.

You are vocal about scrapping the Dharavi Redevelopment Project.

Shaikh: We are going to scrap this project once elected to power.

It has also been mentioned in our manifesto.

Throughout our campaign, we have maintained our stance and noticed that people don’t want this project either.

We know this is just another land-grabbing move disguised as development.

The ruling BJP-Sena government has made a mistake by campaigning for the project.

Don’t you think this project will benefit those living in slum clusters by providing them with formal housing?

Shaikh: As part of the proposed plan, the government plans to relocate nearly one lakh people to Malad from Dharavi slums.

Why are they not finding suitable ways to rehabilitate them in Dharavi itself?

They are born and brought up there.

They are accustomed to living in that place.

Already Malad West has 3,50,000 voters.

What will be the situation if another one lakh people are brought here?

This is not practicable and all existing infrastructure will fall short, no matter how hard one tries.

In 2014, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) candidate in Malad West polled 14,000 votes, reducing your victory margin to 2,300. This time the MNS hasn’t fielded any candidate but there are expectations that BJP’s Vinod Shelar will be able to get the support of the Marathi vote bank.

Shaikh: When I was elected for the first time, my margin of victory was around 29,000.

This time, I will win by 25,000-50,000 votes.

I am a local boy, born and brought up here.

Before becoming an MLA, I served as a corporator.

I am well-versed with the issues plaguing this constituency and I will always stand with my voters, come what may.

The BJP candidate fielded by the Mahayuti alliance is an outsider and nobody will accept that person.

Last year, there were communal clashes in the constituency. Do you think this will impact the elections?

Shaikh: In the last two years, BJP-Sena leaders have tried their best to stoke communal tension in the area but they have failed miserably.

At first, they (Mahayuti) tried to play the Dalit card, then the local Dalit community told them that they were making a mistake by spreading propaganda in the community’s name.

Their Hindu-Muslim agenda also didn’t work.

People are no fools, they see and understand everything.

The Mahayuti has alleged that you play identity politics.

Shaikh: That’s not true.

I have been the local MLA since 2009, ever since the constituency was formed.

People across communities vote for me.

Besides, Muslims and Hindus, Malad also has a substantial population of Catholics and tribals.

They all vote for me.

It’s the BJP-Sena that has been banking on divisive politics.

What is your vision for Malad West if you’re elected for another five years?

Shaikh: This constituency has good hospitals, roads, and commercial establishments.

My first priority after getting re-elected will be to create a recreational club for youngsters.

At present, the youth are deprived of open spaces, and considering the government is handing plots to private developers like freebies, I will aim to reclaim those plots and develop parks and clubs on them.

Another focus of mine will be to strengthen the infrastructure further.

Last time, I had sanctioned five bridge/flyover projects for my constituency including the T-shaped flyover at Mith Chowky, which has opened partially and is set to become fully operational by December 31.

Another project I want to take up in the next term is the construction of a flyover connecting Madh and Versova.