The Nationalist Congress Party candidate from Mumbai North East, Sanjay Dina Patil, is the face of Kolis and wants to speak out against the various infrastructure projects which pose a risk to the livelihood of fishermen. He spoke to Sweety Adimulam about the development plans for his constituency and has accused his opponents of profiting from the dumping ground issue.
Excerpts:
What are your chances of winning this time?
I am 100 per cent sure of a victory. In 2014, things were different. Gripped by the Modi wave, people thought change was in the air. But in five years, people have realised, jhoothe sapne dikhaye thay aur jhoothe vade kiye thay.
The Kolis are strongly objecting to projects like the Coastal Road and the development of gaothans through slum rehabilitation schemes. How will you resolve these issues?
So far, they have not approached me but have given me their unconditional support. Of course, I will resolve their problems to the best of my abilities. Redevelopment of gaothans is difficult and they want to handle it themselves.
If you win this time, what are the issues you will raise?
The upgradation of railways. The development of those salt pan lands, which are currently encroached. Constructing affordable houses on this land is one of my ideas, but we also want these lands to be developed with hospitals, educational institutions and playgrounds.
I already presented a blueprint to the union government when I was a member of Parliament in 2009. Providing affordable housing is in our manifesto but along with that, I am looking forward to open up these land parcels.
How do you plan to generate employment?
The development of salt pan lands will automatically generate employment opportunities. I would like to say that because of the policy of the previous government, employment rates have fallen tremendously in the past five years.
Mumbai North East had most of the small factories, which are now closed down because of those wrong policies. In place of factories, housing complexes have come up. Our government will try and generate maximum job opportunities in keeping with the current situation and the resources available with us.
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How will you address the burning issue of dumping grounds in your constituency?
For this constituency, it’s the topmost issue. The people of Mulund, Bhandup, Kanjurmarg and Govandi are badly affected. Although the Mulund dumping ground has been closed down recently, the toxic odour is putting the lives of people at risk. A systematic way to treat the waste must be found.
Shutting down dumping grounds is not the solution, but making use of that waste for power generation, manure and other resources is the need of the hour. The procedure being followed right now seems to just be a money-making business and others contesting the elections are involved in it. What I regret is the waste of thousands of crores of taxpayer money.
Any comments on your leading opponent? Do you feel Kirit Somaiya’s absence this time work in your favour?
Of course not, because Kirit Somaiya has not done anything. Whatever he was doing, it was to be in the limelight. Raj Thackeray recently blew the lid off Somaiya’s claims at a recent rally. Somaiya promised Monica More (the girl who lost her hands in a train accident)a job and got votes, but in reality nothing was done for her or for her family.
