When Uddhav Thackeray visited 'DNA' office

Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray on Friday visited the DNA newsroom and engaged in a one-hour-long conversation with Team DNA. This was Thackeray’s first time visiting the office of an English newspaper in Mumbai.

From potholes on Mumbai’s roads to the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, and from his method of handling Sena proceedings after taking over leadership to mention of a possible reunion with his estranged cousin, Thackeray did not shy away from even a single question, responding to all with his trademark smile. Here are some excerpts:
    
Uddhavji, there is going to be a battle for the BMC in the coming few months. With campaigning already underway, how does your party see this election?
This has been the third consecutive time that the people of Mumbai have relied on the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) alliance. We will take the developmental work we have done in the past five years to the people. I am talking about the positive work because talking about someone else’s negative points does not make me positive. We will be taking the positive agenda before the people.

What positive work are you referring to?
The biggest achievement in the past five years has been the setting up of virtual classrooms. Currently, we have connected over 80 BMC schools and we will be taking that number to 150. It was never in the party’s manifesto, but the idea was there. When we won the World Cup in Mumbai, it was a historic moment. We have planned to open a photo gallery in Shahaji Raje Sports Complex, Andheri, displaying World Cup photographs. The plan of an international zoo is pending, mainly because of lack of approval from the heritage department. One of my aims is to make Mumbai a world-class tourist destination. We do not have a single place in the city where we can take our family out. I want to change that. Issues related to roads, toilets, water are going to remain our priority, but these issues are also important.

But all these things suggest a beautification of the city. Yet, the issue of potholes on the city’s roads has not been resolved. How will you address that issue?
Yes, there is a problem of potholes. No doubt. Whenever the rainy season comes, the problem arises. I think DNA has done good work on this issue. In the single city of Mumbai, there are so many governing bodies — BMC, MMRDA, MSRDC, PWD and so many. All the mess they create becomes the BMC’s responsibility. Less rights and more responsibility is our condition. I have never put the entire blame on MMRDA. But do not blame the BMC for being solely responsible. Wherever we are wrong, I am ready to take the blame.

Isn’t it true that when it comes to issues related to the development of the city, your MLAs or MPs seem to lack technical knowledge and oppose just for the sake of it?
I will not accept that in such a crude manner. Every time, before the session, our MLAs and MPs get a proper briefing on various issues to be raised. Even if the issue is properly raised in the assembly, it doesn’t affect the government. More than that, out of the 45 Sena MLAs, most are young and are learning how to corner the government. Give them some time, you will see the results. From the Dharavi redevelopment plan to the redevelopment of the government colony in Bandra, it was always the Sena who raised these issues aggressively.

Ever since you took over the Sena, there are allegations that you have toned down the party’s rough way of functioning. What do you say about that?
No, not at all. I never tried to change the way the party functions. But yes, I tried to make it more organised. I’ve put in a system whereby everyone is given background information on the subject to gain a clear understanding. As for these allegations, I think people cannot find any other points to criticise me.

Do you think the ongoing agitation by Anna Hazare will have an adverse impact on your party’s prospects in the BMC election?
The anti-incumbency factor won’t work in the BMC. The only thing is that we have to go ahead carefully from now on. There should not be a civil war-like situation in our country. The responsibility from now on lies with both of us, the media and political parties. Instead of showing current happenings, the media should guide the people on which way to proceed. We have not opposed Anna personally, though we have differences. But we must be careful to see to it that the antidote does not give rise to a new disease. If the prime minister comes under the Lokpal, then who will control Lokpal? There shouldn’t be too many power centres.

Is this going to be a do-or-die election for the Sena?
Elections comes after every five years. Are you going to consider each election as do-or-die types? It’s a challenge and that I accept. But it is just like any other election.

Has the MNS posed a challenge to your party?
You know what, I get 10 newspapers at home every day. From my observations, people are regretting now (voting for MNS in the last assembly elections). They are saying, what have they done (since it helped Congress). They (MNS) are not new now. In all this period, Shiv Sena has not changed a bit. How can they make any difference to us? Even in case of the mill workers’ march, we stayed there from start to end. We did not leave in between.  

Is there any chance of reuniting with MNS?
The other side should feel the same for such a thing to happen. And when they feel like this, I also should feel the same way. As far as the question of ‘Mahayuti’ of the Sena, BJP, RPI and MNS is concerned, those who want to daydream can do so. Who am I to stop them?

Your alliance partner BJP had invited the MNS chief to Gujarat. Will this play a spoilsport in your relations with the BJP?
One should know what is happening around oneself. There is no need to change my state from its current form. Maharashtra should be like Maharashtra and like nobody else. My ambition is to make the state such a phenomenon that other states will come here to visit. We share a cordial relationship with the BJP. Why should there be any conflict?

Your party had opposed Enron and later withdrew. Will the same thing happen with the Jaitapur nuclear power project as well?
Our opposition to Enron was not regarding the project, it was for the conditions that were put forward. It was not the nuclear power plant. I cannot understand why only the Konkan is gifted with power projects. Also, we have opposed only the nuclear power plant and not other plants. The entire world is closing up to nuclear energy and we are opening up here. Half of the energy will go to other states, but it is will be a 100% risk to us.