We are experiencing bias of poll panel, says Anil Desai

Anil Desai is the candidate of the Shiv Sena (UBT) from Mumbai South Central. A two-term Rajya Sabha member, he is now facing his first electoral battle. A close aide of party chief Uddhav Thackeray, he is mainly known as a back-room strategist and has also been handling the party's legal battles after its split. Desai said his party was experiencing the double standards of the ECI.
Q: You are contesting an election for the first time while your opponent Rahul Shewale is a two-term MP. How challenging is this election for you?
A: Even though I have not campaigned for myself before, I have accompanied others in their campaigns. So, it is not new for me. Also, I have been Rajya Sabha MP for two-terms, that is for 12 years. The points I have raised in Parliament were mainly on Mumbai.
This is the first major poll after the split in the Shiv Sena. Do you feel you will gain the sympathy of the core Sena voter?
Ethically and morally, something like this had never happened in a progressive state like Maharashtra. We never had an inkling of this conspiracy hatched by the BJP. People have seen this. Ruling parties think public memory is short. But it' s not just public sympathy. Uddhav Thackeray had also performed very well as chief minister, especially during the pandemic.
How do you see the role of the ECI in this election?
The ECI is a constitutional organisation and we are hoping that bias will not feature in this election. We are experiencing the bias of EC. People can see who is being spared and who is being axed. Why are they adopting double standards? In Karnataka, PM Modi said, "Say Bajrangbali and press the button," after the model code of conduct had been declared. But the ECI had problems with the words Jai Bhavani in our anthem.
What is your view on the Dharavi redevelopment project undertaken by the Adani group in this constituency?
When they were told redevelopment is coming, people were happy. But when the documents came, there were stringent conditions. People are being segregated into eligible and ineligible. What is being offered to them? They are being displaced. If a central minister comes and speaks about slum-free Mumbai and rehabilitation on salt pan lands, what does that mean? People feel they will be thrown out of their homes and are scared. We say they should be house in situ. There should be no ambiguity and it should happen in a transparent manner.
Raj Thackeray is supporting the Mahayuti and the VBA is contesting this seat. Will that split your vote?
This is a people's election. They have taken the election in their hands. Voters will not get swayed by those who have come in to split votes.
The BJP says your party has abandoned Hindutva by allying with the Congress.
Wee never left Hindutva. It is the soul of our party. The ruling parties have no other substantial points against us and do not want to talk about the real issues in the state like inflation and unemployment.