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Gurudas Kamat, the Cong candidate from Mumbai North West, talks to Varun Singh about the tug-of-war with NCP over the PM's post and much more...

The NCP has reiterated that Pawar is their prime ministerial candidate...
There can be no discussion on this. We have made it clear that Dr Singh is our candidate.

Is Singh the Congress candidate or the UPA's?
Dr Singh is the UPA candidate.

What about Rahul Gandhi?
We do see him as a PM material, but it's up to him to decide when he is ready.

What is your stand on the issue of migrants?
I condemn the attacks against migrants. The parties responsible for the attacks have done nothing for Maharashtrians. The Shiv Sena has even nominated non-Marathi indust- rialists to the Rajya Sabha.

You mean the Shiv Sena or the MNS?
They both share the same genes. Our opposition to communal forces remains as strong as ever.

But you chose not to tie up with the Samajwadi Party in UP...
We did not because Mulayam Singh welcomed BJP's Kalyan Singh, who was behind the Babri Masjid demolition, into the SP.

Why did you decide to contest at the last moment?
I was chairman of the state election campaign committee and, hence, had not applied for a ticket. But when it emerged that we did not have a sitting MP from North West, I decided to contest.

What issues are you taking up?
Water scarcity is a major issue here. I will also work for the monorail and the metro to be completed quickly.

Cars confiscated
Last night, the Aarey police confiscated eight cars used by Kamat to campaign, as they didn't have the required permission from the election officer.