From stiff opposition from ally party workers to countering allegations from rival MVA factionclose confidante of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and former mayor and now aspiring parliamentarian, Mahayuti candidate Naresh Mhaske speaks to TOI about his challenges and plans to bag the seat
Q. Mira Bhayender and Navi Mumbai cities are new to you?
A. The mood in the constituency is Modi-may (dominated by Narendra Modi).Even though I have worked in Thane, I was always aware of happenings in these cities where I worked as an office bearer of the Shiv Sena. People trust the Sena. Our workers are working 24×7 and we are banking on their efforts. As I said, I may be known to Thane residents but I have been associated with Navi Mumbai and mira Bhayender since my Vidyarthi Sena (youth wing activist) days. Several of the current leaders from ally parties have known me since those days and we share a good rapport. It didn’t take time to reach out to them.
Q. Your name announcement as the Mahayuti candidate saw prompt opposition from ally party workers. How do you see this?
A. It is but natural that workers would want the seat for their leader who has also worked hard. But we must remember that when a coalition is formed, certain decisions have to be taken. It may have affected for a day but now everything is resolved. I have seen the same people who apparently were upset earlier now supporting me wholeheartedly and even ensuring my well-being during rallies.
Q. The opposition parties have said that you were absent during the crucial Covid phase.
A. I was accessible during the pandemic and working 24×7 on the field. Instead, there were people asking about the absence of opposition leaders. We reached out to many supplying essentials and even vaccines. I was called the vaccine man. Those opposing me have forgotten that I ensured their own staff got the vaccine due to my efforts. Thanekars know all and will respond.
Q. The opposition is harping on the gaddari (betrayal) tag.
A. Who betrayed the voters first? We fought the elections with the BJP and against the Congress but they later joined hands with them (Congress) just for power. This is gaddari (betrayal). We formed a govt with the party who the people voted for.
Q. What are your observations of the problems faced by people of your constituency?
A. One of the common problems is inadequate train services in addition to the proliferation of slums among others…
Q. So many projects are delayed here.
A. We are working on pushing the Thane railway station project along with the metro routes here. Some projects were delayed due to ‘percentage’ and we will soon expose them.
Q. Has the Raj Thackeray rally where he raised the migrant issue proved counter-productive?
A. No. He spoke only about the proliferation of Bangladeshi migrants here. The opposition has no issues left to discuss.
Q. What are your winning expectations?
A. Aligning with our motto of Ab ki baar 400 paar, I am confident of winning the Thane seat with a thumping majority and breaking previous winning margins. It was our efforts last time that elected a Sena MP in Thane and this time our team is working for me- their own candidate.
Q. Mira Bhayender and Navi Mumbai cities are new to you?
A. The mood in the constituency is Modi-may (dominated by Narendra Modi).Even though I have worked in Thane, I was always aware of happenings in these cities where I worked as an office bearer of the Shiv Sena. People trust the Sena. Our workers are working 24×7 and we are banking on their efforts. As I said, I may be known to Thane residents but I have been associated with Navi Mumbai and mira Bhayender since my Vidyarthi Sena (youth wing activist) days. Several of the current leaders from ally parties have known me since those days and we share a good rapport. It didn’t take time to reach out to them.
Q. Your name announcement as the Mahayuti candidate saw prompt opposition from ally party workers. How do you see this?
A. It is but natural that workers would want the seat for their leader who has also worked hard. But we must remember that when a coalition is formed, certain decisions have to be taken. It may have affected for a day but now everything is resolved. I have seen the same people who apparently were upset earlier now supporting me wholeheartedly and even ensuring my well-being during rallies.
Q. The opposition parties have said that you were absent during the crucial Covid phase.
A. I was accessible during the pandemic and working 24×7 on the field. Instead, there were people asking about the absence of opposition leaders. We reached out to many supplying essentials and even vaccines. I was called the vaccine man. Those opposing me have forgotten that I ensured their own staff got the vaccine due to my efforts. Thanekars know all and will respond.
Q. The opposition is harping on the gaddari (betrayal) tag.
A. Who betrayed the voters first? We fought the elections with the BJP and against the Congress but they later joined hands with them (Congress) just for power. This is gaddari (betrayal). We formed a govt with the party who the people voted for.
Q. What are your observations of the problems faced by people of your constituency?
A. One of the common problems is inadequate train services in addition to the proliferation of slums among others…
Q. So many projects are delayed here.
A. We are working on pushing the Thane railway station project along with the metro routes here. Some projects were delayed due to ‘percentage’ and we will soon expose them.
Q. Has the Raj Thackeray rally where he raised the migrant issue proved counter-productive?
A. No. He spoke only about the proliferation of Bangladeshi migrants here. The opposition has no issues left to discuss.
Q. What are your winning expectations?
A. Aligning with our motto of Ab ki baar 400 paar, I am confident of winning the Thane seat with a thumping majority and breaking previous winning margins. It was our efforts last time that elected a Sena MP in Thane and this time our team is working for me- their own candidate.