Shri Bachi Singh Rawat was elected president of Uttarakhand BJP on September 19. He is an advocate by profession and had been member of UP Legislative Assembly, member of Lok Sabha and Union Minister of State for Science and Technology during the NDA Government. Organiser representative Ravindra Saini spoke to him in Dehradun. Excerpts:
What are your priorities as the new state party president?
Priorities have already been fixed. My first priority will be to strengthen the party structure up to the village level and ensure victory in next Panchayat and municipal body polls. A win in the Lok Sabha elections will also be the most important priority. Besides making the party more effective, the achievements of the government will be highlighted across the state and the party will play a role in keeping the government informed about the people's aspirations and needs. I will ensure that each and every worker of the party is trained to take up the peoples? problems. Workers should reach every section of the society at the grassroot level. I want that the BJP must represent all sections of the society.
How will you ensure better coordination between the party and the government?
It is one of the top priorities. The party will work together with the government so that people of Uttarakhand are made aware of the good works. We are confident that we will be able to play a key role in improving the coordination between the party and the government. There will be a mechanism for this purpose. Proper dialogue will be maintained between the government and the party activists. I shall summon the meeting of the State Council of the party to discuss the issue how better and proper coordination can be ensured. For this purpose a Coordination Committee may also be constituted. National leaders will be consulted for this committee, which was basically declared six months ago but has not yet been constituted.
Are you satisfied with the functioning of the state government and what are your further expectations?
I am fully satisfied with the performance of the government. A lot of positive decisions have been taken to fulfill the expectations and aspirations of the people and to make the state an ideal state. My expectation from this government is that it should try to fulfill all the promises, which were made in our manifesto at the time of election. The government has done a lot in this regard. Cow slaughter has been banned. Formulation of a new transfer policy and control on the purchase of land in rural areas of the state are major decisions of the government, which can be listed as big achievements. Government'sefforts to improve the lives of women in rural and remote areas of the state, the move to set up fodder banks for cattle in each district and distribution of LPG cylinders, plans to promote industries in hill areas, setting up of 100 health centres in rural areas are some important achievements. In the six months in power this government has been able to send a message across to the ministers and bureaucrats that irregularities will not be tolerated.
What will you do to expand the party base in remote areas where the party has not received much support?
Party workers will highlight the achievements of the government. Problems faced by the people will be heard and solution of them will be ensured. People will have to be assured that this government has been working for their welfare and has been trying to fulfill the poll promises of action against corruption. This government is committed towards providing basic facilities to all parts of the state, carry out administrative reforms and give a transparent and accountable government that is sympathetic towards the public. All this will help to expand the party base in every nook and corner of the state. Chief Minister Shri B.C. Khanduri himself has made tours to all parts of the state. He has directed to take measures like setting up a Complaint Cell at his office to redress the grievances of people.
