Lok Sabha elections 2014: Congress confident of a repeat show in Mumbai

Mumbai Regional Congress Committee (MRCC) chief Janardhan Chandurkar dismissed the perceived 'Narendra Modi wave' in the city and said he was confident the UPA would repeat its performance largely due to the support from the Dalit, Muslim communities for the party. In 2009, Congress-NCP won all the six city seats, largely due to the MNS factor.

Speaking to dna's Dhaval Kulkarni, he however, admitted there were some factional feuds within the party, but added that these had been cemented over.

Chandurkar, an ex-MLA from Bandra East, and a former professor of English literature, admitted that the Congress had failed to popularise UPA government's social security schemes and that AAP might woo the youth and first-time voters.

Excerpts:
What is likely to be the outcome of this elections?
Mumbai has always favoured the Congress. We are hopeful of a repeat performance. The Maharashtra government has done much for the slum dwellers. Cluster development and projects like Metro and Mono rails and Eastern Freeway will all be viewed favourably by the voters. Despite being in power in the BMC, Shiv Sena hasn't done anything much. The large chunk of Dalit and Muslim voters will also favour us.

What of anti-incumbency factor?
The UPA II took many revolutionary decisions like the food security bill meant to eradicate hunger. But the opposition campaigned against it. However, we fell short here as we didn't give it enough publicity. The Centre also passed the right to education bill and the Lokpal bill, which was in the pipeline for over 40 years. When polls are announced, political analysts and opposition keep harping on anti-incumbency. But, we come to power despite this.

There are reports of infighting in Congress and anger against some sitting MPs.
This is a large party and such things can happen. People have diverse interests—an MLA may want to become an MP, or, when he wanted to become a minister a sitting MP may have backed someone else, etc. There was a tug-of-war over nominations leading to disgruntlement. However, differences have been patched up and we are one team now.

What will impact will AAP have in Mumbai?
First time voters may vote for them due to the influence of modern technology and IT. However, people will realise the destructive effects of that party later.

How will the perceived Modi wave impact Mumbai, especially because of the substantial Gujarati population?
A majority of the people in Mumbai have a cosmopolitan outlook. So, I don't feel the Gujarati voters by themselves will have a major impact on the poll results. The sons-of-soil plank adopted by Shiv Sena also impacts the Gujaratis. When MNS workers beat up a samosa vendor from UP, this impacts the samosa vendors coming from Gujarat too. Narendra Modi will have no impact in Mumbai due to Shiv Sena-MNS factor, which also threatens them (Gujaratis). Raj has not fielded candidates in all seats in Mumbai, and people know why. There is no Modi wave and the BJP cannot contest and win on its own here. It has had to ally with Shiv Sena and even RPI leader Ramdas Athavale.

Considering his base among Dalits in Mumbai, how will Sena-BJP's truck with Athavale help them?
Athavale's community (Dalits) will not vote for the saffron alliance. The Shiv Sena has been against Dalit icon Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and there have been street fights over his book, 'Riddles in Hinduism'. Athavale's party's philosophy is against this alliance and so, his people are unlikely to vote for them. I reiterate, Congress will win in Mumbai.