Unlike most seasoned politicians, who seem to always be surrounded by a retinue of party workers and supporters, cardiologist Dr. Anil Kumar is campaigning for the Lok Sabha election while also going about his day job. The Mumbai South candidate of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), who is going up against Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant and Mumbai Congress chief Milind Deora, says his biggest challenge is to reach out to a large number of voters. The Hindu met him in room 122 at the Bombay Hospital, where he continues to see patients, to discuss his plan of action.
You are contesting against two prominent candidates. How are you reaching out to people?
In the past two weeks, I have had 10 meetings with my party workers. I have prepared a brochure about my work in the health field, which will be distributed by the party workers for more people to know me. I am starting door-to-door visits. So far, people have shown a lot of excitement to have a qualified doctor as a candidate. In places like Mazgoan, Bhendi Bazaar and Byculla, everyone knows me. In JJ hospital, where I have worked for several years, all doctors, nurses and ward boys know me very well. My constituency has 15 lakh eligible voters. I will have to reach out to at least 5 lakh people to get a considerable number of votes.
Where do you think Mr. Sawant and Mr. Deora have failed?
I have studied the geography of my constituency thoroughly. If you go to Reay Road, the roads are worse than those in some rural areas. In Madanpura, people live in inhuman conditions with lack of basic facilities. I was disturbed to see these conditions. Mr. Sawant and Mr. Deora’s failure is evident through this. The Shiv Sena [controls] the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Can the party justify why the conditions are so terrible in these places?
Some people think VBA has fielded most candidates to divide votes. Is that true?
Balasaheb ( VBA chief Prakash Ambedkar) is the only person who is trying to get all communities together. He is trying to move beyond the SC, ST barrier and focus on the issues that matter. There is no question of dividing votes. People should vote based on the merit of the candidate.