‘If we contest solo, will surely come to power’, says Mumbai’s Mayor Snehal Ambekar

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Have promises made in the 2012 BMC election manifesto by the Shiv Sena been fulfilled?
To deal with flooding in the city, the two pumping stations at Love Grove and Britannia junctions were made functional. Now, water recedes immediately after the rains. The Colaba sewage treatment plant is the first such in the state, with tertiary treatment capacity. Besides, we have developed many theme gardens with facilities for children, senior citizens, open air gyms, etc. The distribution of tablet computers has also helped to improve overall results in municipal schools. We have also undertaken repairs to many school buildings. We will now turn schools into ‘digital classrooms’, a project whose modalities are being worked out. Besides, the city will soon be made free of open defecation by this month-end. The Mumbaikars who can’t afford to go abroad to see penguins can see these birds here in the city soon. Also, we plan to give health cards to people who visit civic hospitals, which will have all data about the patient. We will start this on a pilot basis in one ward.

You wrote a confidential letter to the civic chief about irregularities in road works, thus exposing the scam. Are you satisfied with the action taken?
The action taken by the civic chief must be appreciated. It will help in citizens getting better services. Our intention was not to punish anyone but to ensure that action is taken against those involved in wrongdoing. Some contractors are now blacklisted. Recently, there was an issue about road contracts being given to the tainted contractors, but these were previously awarded contracts — no new contract will be given to these people. The move has also led to the civic administration keeping a check on engineers. Now, engineers feel tense about being in the roads department.

There have been allegations of corruption by BJP leaders in the BMC in the last few years. How do you counter that?
BJP leaders must introspect. If something good happens, they say it’s because they are in power. If something bad happens, they blame the alliance partner. This shows their double standards. If we are in power, we are responsible for all good and bad. It is also our responsibility to prevent something wrong if we sense it. It is not right to put the blame on others.

Looking at results from the recent municipal council polls, do you think the Sena and the BJP should contest the BMC polls together as an alliance?
Though the BJP claims it emerged as Number One in the council polls, they were alone not capable of coming to that position. The CM and senior BJP leaders addressed many rallies. BJP had many alliances with local groups and also there was a lot of leaders joining the BJP. That’s why their figures are high. In our case, we have come to power single-handedly without any rallies by the Shiv Sena president. Though we are second in the municipal council polls, it is good that we achieved it on our own. The decision about the alliance will be taken by the party president. If we contest solo, we will surely come to power.

What do party activists feel about an alliance with the BJP?
Party activists feel we should contest solo. But after so many years, we have dislodged the Congress-NCP regime. So, there is also the feeling that if we remain together as an alliance, we can do a lot of good work. That’s why we are with the BJP (in government and in the BMC). And to do social work, we need to be in power. Whatever decision the party president takes about the alliance will be supported by all of us.

Will demonetisation have any impact on the BMC polls?
In the recent municipal council polls, there was no impact. But it will have an impact in Mumbai. We are with them as far as eradication of corruption is concerned, but effective management is required to implement a scheme or policy. It seems they lacked in effective implementation. The death of 71 people is not a small issue.

Would the Maratha morchas seeking repeal of or amendments to the atrocities Act have any impact on the BMC polls?
Personally, I believe the law should not be repealed. There is a section that faces atrocities even today. That section of society has not evolved, many Dalits still face injustice. Our party never discriminates based on caste or gender. The party’s organisational set-up from gat pramukhs to senior party functionaries is such that everyone is given a chance. As far as the Maratha morchas’ impact on BMC polls is concerned, I believe people vote for the candidate based on his or her availability in the area, his work, not his caste.