‘BJP using govt agencies to threaten leaders in Oppn’

being watched. Police officials are being threatened to work in [ruling party’s] favour. Ruling party leaders are using contractors to mint money for elections. Extortion is on the rise across the state. Political interference in police department and their postings has increased. Doctors, professionals are getting calls for extortion. This was witnessed even in the Palghar bypolls two years ago. Senior police officers stationed in the constituency were helping the ruling party. My family has seen power for 40 years but this type of misuse (of power) was never done.

Why is the state Congress unit a divided house?

It is not true. We have been fighting this election unitedly. All of us are busy in our respective constituencies, but there is better coordination. It is true that there were complaints over ticket distribution in Mumbai and Vidarbha, but we are fighting the election with full vigour. Our young generation is eager to fight.

Aren’t sections of Maratha community which was a strong support base for your party tilting towards the BJP because of its decision to give them reservation?

I do not think so. No benefit of the reservation is seen on ground. Government hasn’t filled vacancies meant for the community. Rather than reservation, unemployment and financial recession are bigger issues.

Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi led by Prakash Ambedkar split the Opposition’s votes in Lok Sabha elections. Won’t it damage your party’s prospects in assembly polls too?

The response to the VBA has receded by about 60% as Dalit voters have realised that it was a mistake. Ambedkar has now changed his stand, but it is not clear who will be benefited by it. Had he come with us, he too would have benefited. Only he knows why he didn’t do it.