Urmila Matondkar to NH: Modi government has completely failed the people

Congress candidate from the North Mumbai constituency, Urmila Matondkar took a jibe at PM Modi’s apolitical interview saying that the PM could spare time amid a hectic campaigning schedule to record an apolitical interview but he does not have time to hold a press conference.

The actress cum politician has been pitted against the BJP’s Gopal Shetty from Mumbai North.

Talking to National Herald over the phone from Mumbai, she said, “I am happy to know that our PM has ample time to record apolitical interview with Akshay Kumar but not to address a press conference. He did not hold a single press conference in last five years. He did not talk to the media which is the fourth pillar of the democracy but he did not consider it important or necessary to talk to them. Instead, he recorded an ‘apolitical interview’ with Akshay Kumar! As far as Akshay is concerned, what can I say about him?”

The veteran actress who is known for her versatile acting prowess and critically acclaimed films like Pinjar, Satya has been criticised by her opponents for being an aspiring politician with zero experience in politics.

But Urmila Matondkar is unfazed by the criticism and is hopeful of her victory. She told NH, “Those who are trying to undermine me by counting my years in politics, should count the work they have done in the constituency.”

“Truth is that the BJP government has completely failed the people” said Urmila Matondkar, adding, “People in the constituency are facing huge water crisis and lack of basic amenities. BJP candidate likes to call him ‘garden king’, I would have rather appreciated him, had he been known as the ‘action king’ in the constituency.”

“If he (Gopal Shetty) considers himself a heavyweight in politics then why is that Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has been camping in the constituency with five cabinet ministers for days,” asked the actress.

Though, Urmila Matondkar entered politics just after the elections were announced she is being viewed as a tough challenge to Gopal Shetty. As per observers, she may be able to wrest the seat from the BJP.

In the 1999 elections, Ram Naik won the seat on BJP symbol and lost in 2004 when he was up against Govinda, another Bollywood star who was contesting on Congress’s symbol.

Again in 2009 elections Congress’ Sanjay Nirupam won the seat but in 2014, riding on the Modi wave, Gopal Shetty bagged it from the Congress.

As per Mumbai watchers, Urmila Matondkar had to face multiple attacks on her personal live as well as protests during her campaign because she has posed a serious threat to the BJP.

When asked about the incident in which people chanted ‘Modi-Modi’ during her road show, Urmila Matondkar said that the “paid-protest” was orchestrated by the BJP to deflect people’s attention from the real issues.

“I am an actress and have been a star for many years. I know how mob mentality works. Why would people from the same age group, belonging to the same ideology gather at the same place at a particular time to chant Modi-Modi? BJP is using all these tactics to to divert attention from the real issues bothering people such as unemployment, inflation, farmers suicide etc.”

Highlighting that 2019 election is essentially different from the elections held in the past, the actress noted that democracy and secularism are at the stake under BJP’s rule.

“We have to defend our secular fabrics at any cost. Our thinking of Sarva Dharma Sambhav (harmony in all religions) is in danger. The sadder part is that people not only commit crime against minorities and Dalits but also make video and the IT cell of BJP promotes such videos on social media. They are creating an atmosphere of hatred in society. It is very dangerous for our country, for our democracy. That is why I think this election is very important because we must decide in this election that we want a democratic India,” asserted Urmila Matondkar.