What will be the main issue for assembly polls in the state?
The BJP government in the state has taken a big leap on development front and it will seek votes on development only. I am sure the BJP government will again be voted to power. Our government has taken many steps for overall growth of the state. The government has announced subsidised ration for both BPL an APL families. Education is free in the state, health facilities have improved a lot and 108 Ambulance Service has done excellent work. The state government has facilitated development due to which the state is ranked first in India for the industrial growth. The government has taken measures like establishing medical colleges and upgradation of hospitals to improve health services. The government has also announced two years’ childcare leave for women employees working in government sector and 30 per cent horizontal reservation for women applying for government jobs.
Is the issue of development enough for polls?
There are other issues also which will be raised. The government has initiated many steps for development but the UPA government has not sectioned the requisite financial aid resulting in slow progress of some projects. The UPA government at the Centre and the five Congress MPs from the state did nothing for the state. The Centre reduced industrial package granted to the state from 2013 to 2007. Congress at the Centre had mentioned in its manifesto that it will introduce strong policies to check rising prices of essential commodities but situation is totally opposite. BJP will raise the issue of price rise and corruption also. We will expose all the five Congress MPs as to how they remained silent and looked the other way when they could have pressurised the UPA government to release funds for the state from central pool.
You have recently made a statement that non-performing party legislators will be denied tickets. Will it not trigger unrest in the party?
This is a fact that the non-performing MLAs may be denied tickets. We have been keeping a close watch on the report card of the Ministers and MLAs. This helps us to do corrections. We want that the BJP must return to power in the state. Therefore, non-performing Ministers or MLAs may be denied tickets. I do not think that such MLAs or Ministers may go to the extent of revolt. In case of any such eventuality, adequate action will be taken against the rebels. We are very serious about implementing this formula.
What strategy has finally been prepared by the BJP to win these assembly elections?
The party will kick off a statewide mass awareness campaign which has been called Jan Jagran Abhiyan, against the UPA government and all the five Congress MPs representing the state for hindering in the state’s development. The campaign will also highlight the scams taking place every day under the central government. The Chief Minster has launched a statewide ‘Vikas Yatra’. This yatra is informing the masses about major achievements and several welfare schemes and the good works done by the BJP government in last four year. This yatra has so far covered 7541 Gram Sabhas. This has helped people making aware of the various welfare schemes started by the government. Jan Ashirvad Rallies are proposed to be held from May 16 to June 15. These month long rallies will be held throughout the state in all the 70 assembly constituencies. The purpose behind the rallies is to seek people’s blessings by sharing with them the achievements of the BJP government. Senior party leaders including Shri BC Khanduri, Shri Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, Shri Bachi Singh Rawat and others will lead the proposed rallies.
Are you satisfied with the co-ordination between the party and the government?
It is one of the top priorities. The party is working together with the government. We have played a key role in improving the co-ordination between the party and the government. Proper dialogue is being maintained between both.
Don’t you see any anti-incumbency factor?
No. Not at all. People have learnt to appreciate the good works done by the government. The BJP government has been working with absolute transparency. The state’s growth rate has increased from a mere 2.9 per cent to 9.31 per cent. The average per capita income also rose from Rs. 14000 to Rs. 42000. The Centre has been causing trouble to the state government on all fronts. Whether it is the issue of food grains or LPG or much publicised special industrial package, we have been finding it difficult to cope with the situation as even our due quota of essential commodities has been reduced by the central government. Then why should people vote for the Congress?
