No infighting in party, only differing views: Cong chief

The Congress party is the second-largest party in the BMC with 52 corporators, while Shiv Sena leads the pack with 76 corporators. However, just weeks before the civic elections on February 21, several corporators have quit the party and joined rival parties. The Samajwadi Party and AIMIM have also begun campaigning aggressively in the Congress-dominated wards. With reports of infighting and groupism within the state Congress unit, Mumbai Regional Congress Committee President (MRCC) Sanjay Nirupam has his work cut out in selecting candidates and allotting tickets.

Nirupam talks to DNA about the party's preparation ahead of the civic polls, and plans to counter the Shiv Sena-BJP combine:

How does Congress plan to tackle the civic elections? What are the issues your party wants to highlight?

We have not hidden anything from Mumbaikars. The Shiv Sena-BJP combine has failed to fulfill citizens' expectations over the past 20 years. The SS-BJP alliance has proved to be incompetent, inconsistent, corrupt and apathetic towards development in the city. They have failed to improve the condition of roads despite spending crores of rupees each year. They also promised to build 14 flyovers in the city, but not even one has been built.

And when a flyover which was constructed before 2012 was inaugurated, the alliance partners fought over naming it. They promised to tackle the water shortage problem, but even after 20 years there is a shortage of at least 500 million litres per day (MLD). In 2012, they promised two dams — Gargai and Pinjal — that would ensure 700 MLD of water to Mumbai. However, five years on, the civic body is struggling to submit the project's feasibility report.

What is your assessment of the development work undertaken in the city?

In the last four years, Rs 1.7 lakh crore of budget money has reportedly been spent, but there is no audit of this expenditure. How will you justify this? They gave civic schools outdated tablets and took credit for introducing virtual classes; but do they have an explanation for the 40,000 students who opted out of civic schools? Most of them are from Marathi medium schools. We are not even talking about dropouts. The party which always claims to be working for Marathi Manoos could not do anything to prevent the closure of Marathi medium schools.

The party has not been able to put forward a strong opposition leader to check the ruling party. Your thoughts?

Yes, we could have done better. Nevertheless, all the opposition leaders have, time and again, taken a strong stand when the need arises. We have never missed an opportunity to corner the ruling party and oppose the decisions taken by the Sena-BJP combine that were against the interest of citizens.

Will infighting ruin the party's chances of winning more seats in the upcoming election?

There is no infighting in the Congress. There are differing points of view. All the party leaders have their respective following, so it may appear that there are factions; but the party comes first. We work to promote a common goal.

The Congress is adopting the policy of appeasing North Indians and minorities by giving them tickets. Will it result in a win this election?

Voters are choosing to support us because they have realised that only the Congress can usher in development. We work for the welfare of all communities. In the case of minorities, we will ensure that if 80 per cent of voters come from a particular minority group, then the candidate from that community will get a ticket. However, candidates will be selected by the designated committee.

Your thoughts on parties campaigning in areas where you enjoy a strong voter base?

Politically-sensible voters are choosing to support the Congress.