?Indrajit my role model?
Nafisa Ali says she looks up to Indrajit Gupta as an honest politician.
Talk to this former Miss India, national swimming champ and social worker and you realise that Nafisa Ali is serious about her new job. In an interview with Nandini Guha, Nafisa talks about her political hero ex-Home Minister Indrajit Gupta, Sonia Gandhi and West Bengal.
Were you handpicked by Sonia Gandhi or Pranab Mukherjee to contest against Mamata Banerjee? Aren't you fighting a losing battle?
Sonia Gandhi is the leader of the Congress party. But I am here today because I believe that the BJP government is communal and dangerous and that in the healthy interest of democracy, people should vote for a secular party. I am here because I feel that the Communists have finished Bengal. As for the specific seat, Pranab Mukherjee advised that I contest from the South Kolkata.
Who is your political hero — Indrajit Gupta or Sonia Gandhi?
My role model is my late uncle, Indrajit Gupta. I respect him deeply as an honest, upright politician who was one of India's finest Home Ministers. I often compare him to the NDA government's Home Minister, LK Advani — and the contrast become sharper. As for Sonia Gandhi, I feel people can trust her more than they can trust Vajpayee. I feel Sonia has done more for India than Vajpayee has in the last 5 years.She has proved her integrity beyond doubt. She is fit to be Prime Minister.
Don't you want Govinda to campaign for you?
No. I don't believe in using friends for political gains.
Why do you insist that Kolkata is your home?
Because it is. I studied at La Martiniere and played in Calcutta's beautiful clubs.
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