She says he’s notorious. He says she’s an encroacher. Originally a Portuguese port, Bandra, the Queen of Suburbs, is now facing a duel between BJP’s Shaina NC and sitting Congress MLA Baba Siddique. Here’s a peek:Shaina NCThe 31-year-old fashion designer is confident she’ll beat sitting Congress MLA Baba Siddique. In favour of couples openly expressing their love at Bandra Bandstand, Shaina says she’s looking forward to working with residents’ associations.You’re contesting against a popular sitting MLA in Bandra. How do you feel?Popular or notorious? From my interactions with the educated class in Bandra, I have been given to understand that Siddique is unpopular. But I want to stress on my election campaign which I feel will be a success.Recently, a national magazine featured India’s top designers, but your name was missing. Did that prompt you to opt for politics instead of fashion?Fashion is my profession and politics, my passion. I concentrate on sarees and people call me the ‘‘Queen of Drapes’’. So I am not disturbed by such ratings, as creativity is a personal opinion. I am not in politics just to fill my pockets.What plans do you have for Bandra?Firstly, to be the voice of the people. I want to beautify Bandra Talao by involving corporates and look at road maintenance. Personally, I am against any ban on couples holding hands at Bandstand.Why did you choose the BJP despite its communal colour?Generally speaking, I don’t like any sort of communal hatred. On Gujarat, I think we should let the court pass its judgement first before accusing anyone. I joined the party mainly because I was very impressed with the NDA government’s performance at the Centre. So will the new catch phrase be ‘India Shaina’ if you are elected?Well, you can say that if you like. It sounds nice.Baba Siddique The sitting MLA from Bandra, who says he has no competition, hits back at his rival. She’s an ‘‘encroacher,’’ he says:Shaina NC says you have a notorious reputation in Bandra. Comment.What rubbish. You can check my affidavit, not a single criminal case has been attached to my name. If I really am notorious, then her dad Nana Chudasama would not have shared the stage with me in 1992 at Khar Gymkhana for an Id function. I won by 8,000 votes in the last Assembly elections. Why would people vote for a notorious man?How difficult will it be to compete against a pretty and popular fashion designer?If she is pretty, then I am handsome. In fact, she is an encroacher as she does not live in Bandra. I have no competition at all.What are your plans for Bandra?To continue with maintaining good roads, beautification, and to start a sports complex at Bandra Reclamation.Do you think it’s okay for couples to get cosy at Bandstand?No comments.Did you choose a particular mahurat before filing your nomination?I am like a soldier so I don’t need any auspicious time to do anything.
