‘People wanted me to contest and I am doing so’

Will the presence of SP’s Abu Azmi and BSP candidates affect your chances?
Much has been made of the SP strength. The truth is that Azmi had fielded a candidate in Bhiwandi,who was defeated. Moreover,the SP has joined hands with Kalyan Singh and Muslims will make them pay for it.

Mumbai has witnessed violent agitations against migrants. Is this an election issue for you?
We need to uphold the constitutional right of people to stay anywhere in the country. That does not mean we encourage anyone to stay if the residence is illegal. There cannot be a feeling of who will protect migrants. We have to protect them.

This seat has a mix of castes and communities. How do you plan to reach out to them?
Every part of Mumbai is cosmopolitan,though members of all communities are residents. That is our advantage,as the Congress message is that we are for everyone.

What are your campaign issues?
Peace for all and development cannot take place without peace. Until you unite people,there will be roadblocks.

Will the view that the Congress has been soft on terrorism affect party candidates.
The terror attack phenomenon is not restricted to the Congress government. It is a global phenomenon. The government has acted in the strongest manner. Pakistan never admitted about training camps but it had to,under constant pressure. The BJP was hoping that we will attack Pakistan merely for votes,but we adopted a civil method.

Encroachments and suburban railway issues had led to protests in your constituency.
During the past five years,despite rise in fuel prices,the government did not let the railway fares go up. There is a need for more trains. We need to ensure that the MUTP projects are completed. We have stuck to the demand of legalising settlements till 2000. These residents should be settled with a plan.

Despite claims,why did five MLAs’ funds for Mithi not get approved?
It is the Central funds that have supported projects like BRIMSTOWAD and Middle Vaitarna. Plans were made for local bodies as we believe in the panchayat raj. The Mithi project needs more proper representation. Chidambaram had a different view about Metro-II funding,when he shifted to Home. I got the funds approved.