With barely three weeks left for Assembly elections in Gujarat, Chief Minister Narendra Modi is brimming with confidence, undeterred by the fact that some dissidents within the Bharatiya Janata Party have joined hands with the Congress on the eve of the polls.
The confidence stems from the fact that Modiji'sactions have spoken louder than his words. He'sled the BJP from the front, spearheading all major socio-economic and welfare projects and personally supervising their execution in an attempt to ensure betterment of the lives of the 5.5 crore Gujaratis he leads. A true people'sperson, he'spersonally campaigned for all polls?from panchayat elections to those of municipal corporations never losing touch with the common man. It is this unerring accuracy with which the Gujarat CM reads the pulse of his people which is the main reason for his innate confidence in them today.
Modiji has made himself almost synonymous with the development of Gujarat and today, Gujaratis are enjoying better lives than their counterparts in most other states of the country. Small wonder then that polls 2007 will largely be fought on the plank of development.
In a no holds barred tete-a-tete with the Organiser'sSaroj Sharma at his residence at Gandhinagar, Modiji talks at length about the issues at stake in the Gujarat Assembly polls, scheduled to be held on December 11 and 16, 2007. Excerpts:
Polls 2007 are being seen as a battle between Modi versus the rest of the parties in the political spectrum ranging from the Congress to the BSP and even the CPI. Do you think this will affect the BJP'spoll prospects in Gujarat?
In 2002, a Gujarat virodhi abhiyan (an anti-Gujarat drive) was unleashed by the same disruptive forces to project Gujarat in a bad light. The same forces are at work now with the same agenda of spreading canards against Gujarat. However, they are using Modi'sname to besmirch the reputation of the entire state.
I however feel that no power can defeat Gujarat. Gujarat is not living on anyone'scharity but on the honesty, hard work, sweat and toil of the Gujaratis who are quite capable of shaping their future in the fashion that they desire.
What role has money power played in the elections this year? It is learnt that the Opposition has loosened its purse strings in an attempt to woo disgruntled elements within the BJP. These people have also made substantial inroads among media organisations to ensure good publicity and adequate coverage for themselves and tarnish the BJP'simage. Comment.
Money power is emerging as a major threat to democracy. However, in Gujarat, the people are very practical unlike in other parts of the country. A Gujarati innately understands his own welfare and the welfare of his state and knows who can be relied on to deliver on promises and who cannot. My advice therefore to people who are trying to use money power is: Don'tunderestimate the Gujaratis.
What do you consider as the main achievements of your government?
Though we have done a lot to improve the fiscal health of Gujarat which was once a revenue deficit state and is now one which has a revenue surplus, I consider the social projects implemented by my government as the biggest achievements of the government. Through the Beti Bachao programme, we have succeeded in improving the sex ratio from 802 girls for every 1,000 boys to 870 girls for 1,000 boys. We have managed to bring down the school drop-out rate from an alarming high of 49 per cent during the Congress rule to a miniscule 3 per cent now.
Similarly, we have been able to provide electricity to far-flung villages of Gujarat in addition to drinking water through our Narmada project.
Speculation is rife that the Muslims of Gujarat are likely to consolidate their strength against you particularly in the wake of the recent Tehelka sting operation. How far do you think this is true?
Firstly, I would like to comment on the Tehelka sting operation. So much commotion was created about it in the first twelve hours. Why is there no discussion about it now? Secondly, if the tapes prove my guilt, then we have a UPA government at the Centre. Why weren'tsummons issued to arrest me and put me behind bars immediately? I think that answers the question.
With regard to Muslim votes consolidating against me, all I would like to say is that the Congress'svote bank politics is playing havoc and has already damaged the country'ssecular fabric considerably. As an RSS worker, I am totally against vote bank politics. I have never been taught to think in this fashion. All I can think about is the welfare of my 5.5 crore Gujarati brethren.
What is the role that anti-Modi NGOs and social activists, who are spreading stories about the plight of the poor and farmers in Gujarat, and communal disharmony existing in the state are likely to play in the polls?
Perhaps they derive their sustenance from their Modi virodhi (opposition to Modi) and Gujarat virodhi activities. But let me tell you that the elections cannot be affected by this.
What is the difference between polls 2002 and polls 2007?
In 2002, I was new and not very well known to the people of Gujarat. This time round, the people know me and know my work and to that extent the chances of my party are much brighter. As for the Congress, they haven'tbeen able to identify either a leader of tall stature who can lead Gujarat neither the policies they will follow. They have a hidden agenda.
In addition, in the last election we had an NDA government at the Centre. This time there'sa Congress-led UPA government which feels it can use the Election Commission to its advantage. Let'ssee how far their assumption is true.
There'sa feeling that this time round the BJP is relying too much on technology for its election campaigning. Your USP always has been the personal touch you?ve established with the electorate. Is it that you are distancing yourself from the electorate?
Not at all. I first go to the people and then it is those speeches which are put on the internet for people to see. We are using technology as an additional tool not a substitute for personal campaigns.
What would be your agenda if you win?
There'sno question of if. Gujarat will win. The welfare of the poor, welfare of the state and peace and security for the common man will be on top of my agenda.
In 2002, a Gujarat virodhi abhiyan (an anti-Gujarat drive) was unleashed by the same disruptive forces to project Gujarat in a bad light. The same forces are at work now with the same agenda of spreading canards against Gujarat.
I would like to comment on the Tehelka sting operation. So much commotion was created about it in the first twelve hours. Why is there no discussion about it now? If the tapes prove my guilt, then we have a UPA government at the Centre. Why weren'tsummons issued to arrest me and put me behind bars?
In 2002, I was new and not very well known to the people of Gujarat. This time round, the people know me and know my work and to that extent the chances of my party are much brighter. As for the Congress, they haven'tbeen able to identify either a leader of tall stature who can lead Gujarat neither the policies they will follow. They have a hidden agenda.
