Kissa Kursi Ka: Key electoral promises and more

Winning the assembly elections could be a morale booster for any party. Where all parties have come out with their manifestos that comprises their development plans and promises to serve the city, it is now in the hand of voters, whom they choose and who they think is the right fit to govern the city. This week, for DNA Samwad, we caught up with Keshav Upadhye, Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson, Clyde Crasto, Nationalist Congress Party spokesperson, Charan Singh Sapra, National spokesperson for Congress and former legislator, Sandeep Deshpande, MNS general secretary and spokesperson, and Maharashtra president, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen. They give us an insight into their plans and why they think Mumbaikars should consider them. While they gave us an outline in to their plan of action for the next five years, they also pointed out why they have an upper hand over other parties. Shiv Sena, however, was not available for this freewheeling conversation as they did not want to speak before their manifesto was out to the public.

Clyde Crasto, NCP spokesperson

The basic problem of Mumbai is the people running the BMC. Earlier, the matter of Ajoy Mehta never resulted in his pull out, instead he was promoted.

The main issue comes when there is a lack of coordination between BJP and Shiv Sena. Both parties are integrated in BMC for more than 25 years, during which they have just squabbled over things. In the last election, BJP won over Sena by one seat. At that point of time, BJP said that they would step aside and would play the role of a watchdog, but in the last 2½ years, whenever there is an issue, they will always blame each other. For example, last year when the Metro work started, the mayor said that Mumbai will be flooded this year because of the construction and the damage done to storm water drain. The Metro department comes under the state government and if the Metro was damaging the drains, why hasn't the internal government done anything? Shiv Sena cannot blame anybody for the work they are supposed to do.

The technology was not introduced after 2014. Digitalisation and technology was an ongoing process and it started before BJP.

The point is when Congress and NCP are together, we don't squabble. We come together and discuss rationally instead of blaming each other. Our priority is to have citizen participation and have them come on board where they can point out our mistakes. The current government is a 'publicity-friendly government' whereas we choose to be a 'people-friendly'. Publicity will happen when the citizens of our country are happy.

Projects like Metro and JVLR started before BJP, we didn't feel the need to publicise it. We started these projects and development projects are time-consuming so when BJP came, they started to claim it.

Congress and NCP both work hand in hand where the aim is to bring the citizens forward. We have this understanding capability which lacks between Shiv Sena and BJP. Our vision is very clear, we strive for better connectivity in terms of road and ensure proper contractors on major or minor projects. All roads should be connected properly and it also includes railway and highway works.

Mumbai has an abundance of heritage and it is very important to preserve those buildings and monuments because it can increase in tourism. We have to make the ciy more 'tourist-friendly.' We have to make Mumbai youth-friendly, senior and disabled friendly in terms of digitalisation and modernisation.

One of the core issues in Mumbai is Shiv Samrak, they kept us blaming us for not moving forward with the work whereas we were waiting for environment clearance. They went ahead with the work without clearance and tried to publicise it. After many adjustments, there is a complete stop on the work. Rs 80 crore has been spent and no bills have been provided, this raises the question of accountability. Two of their people have complained but they have been asked to remain silent as it will expose the chef minister.

We were going by the law, but they pointed a finger at us. According to CVC guidelines, they cannot make any changes in the tender because it leads to it being void and invalid. This was a project our government has envisioned to attract tourists, but they went ahead without clearance and the stop order was given by the high court. That's why we will draw our plans again with proper clearance.

Whatever BJP does, it is to divert the attention from the core issue, everybody is against illegal immigrants but they have malice in their agenda. There are so many core issues which need attention but BJP diverts it by their tactics.

Keshav Upadhye, BJP spokesperson

The difference in the BJP government and governments of other parties can be explained in three points. Firstly, in five years we have been answerable. Second is that people's participation (Loksahbhag). Movements have been created in which many have joined in participated actively. Third is taking tough decisions. These are three aspects sets us apart. BJP government has carried out major development plans under them. Metro project will solve commuting problems. Also we are working on resolving traffic issues with the Trans Harbour link, the project that has been pending for many years. In the coming days, we are thinking of having an integrated policy for Metro, locals, and BEST. So if I want to commute from Kandivali to Thane, the journey will be smooth and tireless, and this can be done only on just one ticket, which will comes on my mobile.

Mumbai for us means safety, security, environment friendly and clean. These are our four main targets, for which we will be working on and you will see results for same too. You may have a question that when it rains, we are flooded. The British said that the steps at the Asian Library should be considered as the plinth level for all buildings. But development was never done keeping that in mind. This government is going to do contra-mapping, which will tell us which building is on higher platform and which one is not.

BRIMSTOWAD project which was stuck, has been taken up. Sonia Gandhi had allotted Rs 100 crores, but even after 26/11, nothing was done. After this government came into power, at Haji Ali and Juhu, two pumping stations have come up.

When it comes to safety and security, almost the entire Mumbai has come under CCTV surveillance. Taxis and rickshaw drivers who jumped signals are now obeying traffic rules despite a traffic constable not being around. They fear the challan now. Crime detection rate has increased in the last few years. Before 2014, it was around 9-9.5% but now it has come to 42-43%. In all these issues, the city becoming disciplined, and clean is our endeavour.

There were issues of police housing, BDD chawl redevelopment, and Dharavi. This government decided that redevelopment will be carried out by MHADA. When it comes to Mumbai, the other party do not have any vision for the city. In suburbs, there were around 22,000 buildings that did not have occupation certificate (OC). These were not given due pumping station not made. This government resolved these issues. Earlier governments had not even marked out boundaries of Koliwadas and Gaothans for years. The SRA, RERA did not cover rehab buildings. This government ensured that RERA covers that so they are secured. There was no concept of affordable housing before. In the last few years, through MHADA there are projects being carried out where 15,000 affordable homes will come up in Motilal Nagar.

The one trillion dollar economy, contribution from across Maharashtra will increase. In the last three to four years, the positive steps that we have taken, be it farming or other sectors, we are getting its benefits and will continue to get it. Mumbai's infrastructure was a big problem till now. Road connectivity was not up to the mark. Today the roads are good and even Samruddhi Mahamarg is planned after which people can travel from Mumbai to Nagpur in seven hours. In Jalna, we are making a dry port hub.

GST was the first big change after independence. Many had issues with GST but we tried to solve them. We came out with 70 notifications in two months and even reduced tax. We wanted illegal Bangaldeshi immigrants to be removed. So NRC being there or not is different. But illegal immigrants should not be there is what we are saying.

Charan Singh Sapra, National spokesperson for Congress and former legislator

All the infrastructural plans that are ongoing were implemented and planned by the Congress during the Congress-NCP reign. Be it Eastern Freeway, SCLR or airport everything was started then. Even the first line of Metro was started back then. Five metro lines were called before 2014.

Talking about accountability, 32 people were dead in the Elphinstone station stampede, so was anyone held accountable then? 15-16 people died in the Kamla Mills fire, that time too, no one was held accountable. The owners were arrested but no action was taken against the officers of civic body who allowed functioning of the restaurant. When buildings collapse, when trees fall and pot holes are left open, no one is held accountable. Ajoy Mehta was the municipal officer back then when these accidents were happening and he got promoted to chief secretary.

We welcome the Metro happily, but now you see the work is going on for a stretch of 1 km, and 15 kms of road has been blocked. Traffic congestion has increased.

Our vision in the next five years is to complete the work which has been started. If we talk about healthcare, the BMC should inspect the conditions of the hospitals. There are no doctors, no medicines, no proper training and staff. Education facilities are poor, the students have not received their BEST bus passes yet. We will really have to work on these issues, because this government has pulled the city back. They promised to make the city toll free. But nothing has been done.

Unemployment is another very big issue in Mumbai. Go to Zaveri Bazar, 50,000 people have lost their jobs. In Thane, all the MSMEs are active, but they are being shut and unemployment is increasing. Mumbaikars are unemployed, health facilities are unavailable, infrastructure is wrongly planned, education system is not working properly. Congress will have to come and correct all these problems. Swacch Bharat and Swacch Mumbai are their propaganda which have also not been implemented. According to NCRB data, the crime rate has increased. Eve-teasing, rapes and women security is in danger.

Public spaced should be protected. Around 124 plots were taken over by the civic body on orders of Ajoy Mehta. But there are still so many of plots remaining? Because, these places are being ruled by people like Ravindar Waykar, Gopal Shetty, etc and many other politicians of BJP and Sena.

Talking about the carshed in Aarey, people are protesting and are against cutting down of 2,700 trees. Despite of alliance, Shiv Sena is also against it. This government does not listen to the voice of people.

Some of their projects are left incomplete as well. For instance, the Mulund-Goregaon link road was started in 2012, and they promised to finish it by 2017, but it is not ready yet. So many road overbridges are pending.

BJP is simply running a headline management company. Everyday they give one headline for Fadnavis and Modi. This government has failed tremendously. The Make in India event organised was at a large scale, and PM had also graced the event. These people had signed MoUs worth Rs 80 lakh crores. What is the status today? They have to get on ground and start working.

NRC is simply rhetoric. It is BJP's ploy to garner votes and nothing else. It will polarise elections, divert the minds of people from real issues and their failures. Congress never opposed NRC infact it was congress that started NRC.

Sandeep Deshpande, MNS general secretary and spokesperson

Not just, Mumbai, we are focusing on the entire Maharashtra. We have published our manifesto long back and which is published as the blue print of our party. If you look at our blueprint each and every problem be it roads, traffic or issues of the farmers, gardens and crop insurance are all there, it is that detailed. We have not just mentioned problems, but have given solutions too.

MMRDA is working in their own way and so are BMC and Railways. There is no co-ordination. Once they work together, problems will be identified and then solutions will be worked out. We are talking about article 370, Balakot and Pakistan instead of identifying the city's problems and local issues. We are not talking about Central Railway and the chaos that was created during the monsoon. We are not talking about the traffic problems. You have to put-in four hours to reach from city to suburbs. In that much time one can reach Dubai. This is a very sad part of infrastructure and nobody is ready to talk about it.

The Shiv Sena is opposing the Aarey Metro carshed, but what about the coastal road. So, these people are creating an illusion, however on ground nothing is working. So, we want to identify the on ground problems and we are going to talk about them only.

Redevelopment of the old buildings is an important issue and it needs to be raised in city and suburbs as well. A project like Shivalik which was constructed under the SRA has a similar problem. On the other hand, even the single window for developers is not working. Are the online applications forwarded on a time based manner? Nothing. The real estate sector has been hit. People are not even investing in share market. There is no safe investment option available now. While we are talking about affordable housing, poor people cannot afford to buy any house in the city. The state leader has to have a vision regardless of where he comes from Nagpur, Sangli or Baramati, that doesn't matter. The only person I see who has vision is Raj Thackeray. If you go to Nashik a beautiful botanical garden is built by Rajsaheb with Ratan Tata. Such initiatives are not being taken up in Mumbai. How my city should be developed? What are the problems, and how am I going to solve them? No discussion is made in the houses.

KEM Hospital has the capacity of 2,200 beds, and everyday there are 15,000 patients. You have to develop infrastructure in other parts of Mumbai including the MMRDA region. So that they don't need to come all the way to KEM, Sion or Nair.

Since 1946, the state has not built a single hospital in Mumbai suburb and city. Most hospitals are corporation run whereas the law of 1888 states that corporation hospitals are entrusted with primary care and first aid. Multi-speciality health care is the responsibility of the state. It is okay for people from the state to avail these facilities in the civic run hospitals but it is not for the people from other states. It is the people of Mumbai who pay taxes to ensure these hospitals run.

Regarding roads, no corporate company is ready to submit their tenders in BMC, be it L&T or any other companies. They are bothered with the system in the BMC. If the corporate sector gets involved, then we will get better roads in Mumbai. The cartel that is going on for 20 years needs to be removed. Nobody is talking about roads, unemployment, slowdown, infrastructure issues, transportation problems, suburban railways. A Mumbaikar spends most of his daily time in commuting. MNS is the loudest voice for infrastructure and roads. We love the city and we are doing it.

Faiyyaz Ahmed Khan, Maharashtra president, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen

Mumbai is the commercial capital of the country and a large population of the city is poor. The kind of facilities that they should be getting they are not getting. Every person in the city should get employment and all kids should get education and sports be encouraged in the city schools. The menace of drugs is eating the city. You go to any slums drugs are being sold everywhere. The police action is also inadequate in this matter. Our attempt is to correct this and give people their constitutional rights which are denied.

A big problem is of burgeoning population. The various schemes needs to be implemented, so that people get better homes. The BMC school education is as good as zero. Hence, the system needs to be corrected. Both the civic run primary education and the government run secondary education has failed miserably. There are more than 350 schools in the city, however, funds meant for education continue to be misused. The common people are not getting any advantage of it. We need to perfect the education. If there is good education then the generation will improve automatically.

Emotional issues don't run the country. It is only issues related to people's well being and welfare that run the country. Work, morals and constitution should be the base for fighting any election. This will benefit every citizen small or big, great or ordinary. Our party's vision is very clear. It is to protect the rights of minorities, Dalits, backward and the poor of the country. Mumbai's problems are centred around infrastructure, slums, drugs, education and employment. Especially the lesser educated women in the society are facing a big problem of unemployment. MIM has designed many programs like designing skill workshops for women where they learn and then are employed. That is our vision.

Our thinking is empower the poor and give them employment so that their houses run and their health is taken care of. There are no jobs. We want to target the slum population. My area Byculla is known for skilled football players. It is Bengal and Goa of football. Our intention is that the kid plays, gets tired and sleeps and will go to school next morning and stray away from drugs.