Mr Clean tag is good for nothing if a CM doesn't sign even the file of a qabristan: Abu Asim Azmi
Abu Asim Azmi, the Maharashtra chief of Samajwadi Party, has been a controversial figure in the state politics since years. Hailing from Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh, he had to spend a year in jail for his alleged involvement in the 1993 blasts. In 2009, Azmi was elected from Mankhurd-Shivajinagar, a Muslim-dominated pocket. Though he joined hands with the Congress, the alliance broke within a few hours. In an interview with Kanchan Srivastava, the 58-year-old leader blamed the Congress for everything:
What do you think is the core issue in this poll?The non-performance of the Congress-NCP government, coupled with large-scale corruption. The injustice meted out to Muslims and north-Indian communities in the past decade is another big issue. The MNS launched violent attacks on north Indians, leading to cancellation of railway exams. Court summons were issued against Raj Thackeray, but he was never arrested, while several Muslims have been jailed in fake terror cases. The Congress-NCP government also failed to implement the Sachar Committee recommendations. I urged the government to allocate funds for upliftment of Muslim vastis in line with the Dalit vastis, but in vain.Then why were you seeking an alliance with these two parties till last day of nomination?My aim was to consolidate the secular votes. But Prithviraj Chavan and Manikrao Thackeray ensured that we wasted time and could not field enough candidates at the last moment. It was said that the SP supported release of terrorists and talked only of Muslims, and a tie-up would dent the Congress's image. We had 77 candidates ready, but could field only 23.Does that mean SP will not support the Congress or NCP if the for a secular government arise?Unfortunately, we don't have much options in Maharashtra. We may end up supporting them if this ensures a secular government.You have been ranked 29th among the city's 32 MLAs. How would you justify your performance, especially when your constituency continues to struggle for water, power and road?I have solved 80% of the water shortage. Roads are now in place. Two BMC schools got new buildings There are several serious issues in Mankhurd-Shivajinagar for which I ran pillar to post and raised questions in the assembly. Prithviraj Chavan didn't allot land for a substation. Years ago, it was promised that the Deonar dumping ground would be closed and garbage would be shifted to another place. This was not done, and now dirty water is leaking into the cemetery. The government didn't open a single college here. When we proposed to open one college, the CM didn't allot the land. SRA schemes are pending for 7-8 years. If you don't sign even a file to refurbish a qabristan, the tag of Mr clean is good for nothing.