Not bothered by MNS support to Congress candidate: Rahul Shewale

Shiv Sena's Rahul Shewale, who's pitted against Congress veteran Eknath Gaikwad from South Central Mumbai, tells DNA that his priority will be complete redevelopment of Dharavi in five years. Excerpts:

The Congress-NCP alliance have MNS on board. Has it made the contest tougher for you?

I don't think so. I believe that these parties all have selfish goals, and they have come together for their own benefit, not to serve the people. MNS workers are a confused lot regarding their party's decision to support the Congress-NCP alliance. It won't eat into my votes.

Will the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi's candidate hurt your prospects? What will be your efforts to mobilise voters?

On the contrary, the Congress will suffer because of division of votes. In South Central Mumbai, there are around 3 lakh Dalit and Muslim voters. The Republican Party of India, led by Ramdas Athavale, is a crucial ally of the Sena-BJP, and this will help me bag traditional votes.

Congress has attacked you for being a publicity seeker, saying you have done no substantial work in five years. What is your response?

I am happy to know that Congress agrees to the fact that I am always in the news. If you are doing a good job, the public and media will approach you. I have practiced Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's mantra of 80 per cent social work and 20 per cent politics. In five years, I have utilised most of my Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLAD) funds to carry out a slew of development work for the betterment of my constituency and my voters.

What are your poll promises, considering Shiv Sena has been accused of doing little for the city despite ruling BMC for 25 years?

Upgradation of infrastructure in a rapidly growing city like Mumbai is a challenge. I have to work in the next five years to make South-Central Mumbai a 'Smart Constituency' with the active support of the Centre, state government and the BMC. Work on Dharavi's redevelopment has already started, and I will endeavour to complete it in five years. To maximise benefits of government schemes, I also plan to increase the network of ATH (Any Time Help) services.