You talk of the money not coming back to Mumbai, but that's an old story. Your father too was elected from here for four terms. What did he do?
I don't want to get into what my dad has done or not done on issues, but maybe I can give you some example. One of the issues in South Mumbai is dilapidated buildings. There is a lack of funds for these buildings. Twenty years ago when Rajiv Gandhi was prime minister of the country my father got him to sanction Rs 100 crore for slum development. That's a very good example of a member of Parliament taking up a local issue and getting central funds for it. I would like to emulate that kind of a thing.

Would you have got this nomination had you not been Murli Deora's son?
Parties are about promoting an ideology, a philosophy, for that they require the maximum number of elected representatives. So the party is going to give tickets to candidates based on their winnability. The party has chosen me based on my winnability. If you consider this a primary, I have been selected from among several other candidates who filed their nominations, and they have looked at me as the best candidate based on whatever reason. Whether it's my background, if it is a plus point for me, it's great. If my youth is a plus point, great. If it is my qualification, my education, great. I think the party has looked at it holistically, and that's the way parties come to a decision.

Are you saying your dad had no role at all to play in your nomination?
No, I am not saying that. My background may have been a factor.

I am not asking about your background. I am asking specifically about your father. He did not lobby with anyone, say Sonia Gandhi, about you?
No, no, it's nothing like that. Once a potential candidate puts in his nomination the party reviews it. My surname may have rung a bell within the party, people know my father, people know me. But, one can only get an entry point in, it's a little easier, but once you get in there's a room full of people to question you, politics is a public profession.

I really think your question is about dynastic politics so let me take it on.

You take a business example. A businessman's son becomes the director of a company. If it is private limited company, even if the guy has no experience, is incapable, there's no one to question him. But in a public limited company every shareholder is going to question him. Politics is a public profession. Today you see cricketers' sons taking up cricket, you see film-stars' children entering films. They can all get a foothold initially, not even a foothold at times, they can take a first step that's all. After that, before the second step can be taken, they are going to be questioned, they are going to be scrutinised. And it's the same in politics.

People are going to question my capabilities in the end. I don't think the family name makes a difference there.

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