INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK
—Narendra Singh Tomar
BJP National general secretary and incharge of Uttar Pradesh Shri Narendra Singh Tomar is confident of forming a government in Uttar Pradesh. He says the party is fighting for number one position. Shri Tomar is among the party leaders who played a key role in energising the party activists at both micro and macro level. Organiser senior correspondent Pramod Kumar spoke to him in Lucknow. Excerpts:
What were actually the calculations behind bringing Babu Singh Kushwaha into BJP fold?
Shri Babu Singh Kushwaha is a very influential OBC leader of Uttar Pradesh. Before joining the BJP, there was no case against him. It was only after he came with us, the CBI raided his house and a campaign began against him. In fact, the real target was BJP and not Shri Kushwaha alone. He also understood it and he himself suggested the party leadership to put his membership on hold till he comes clean. It was following his request that his membership was put on hold by the party.
Before his joining BJP, there were attempts in the Congress to bring him into their fold. He even reportedly had several rounds of talks with Rahul Gandhi on this issue. But he could not join the Congress as his supporters in OBCs did not agree to it. They opined that they have traditionally been the supporters of BJP and it is better to go with the BJP only.
Now after a thorough discussion with his supporters Shri Kushwaha formed a Rashtriya Adhikar Manch to expose the BSP corruption. So far, he has organised hundreds of meetings in the state and is appealing the people to vote for BJP. The huge gathering turning in his meetings is a clear indication that the people of OBCs do not believe that he is corrupt and the allegations against him are politically motivated. There are about 10 per cent OBC voters in Uttar Pradesh and out of them the BJP is sure to get over 4 per cent.
Where the BJP actually stands today in Uttar Pradesh?
During the 2009 Lok Sabha elections the party bagged 19 per cent votes, which were 2 per cent more than the votes we got in 2007 assembly polls. Now after our sustained efforts we are sure to get at least 24 per cent votes. We need just 3-4 per cent more votes to form a government, which we can capture from floating votes.
What are the main issues this time?
Development, good governance, corruption-free administration and snatching of OBC quota to appease Muslims are the four prominent issues. Our entire campaign is centred around these issues. These are appealing the voters too. There is clear and strong anti-incumbency against BSP and the people are not ready to give opportunity to SP. As far as the Congress is concerned, its ground network has totally collapsed. In this situation, only the BJP is the last hope.
The party has announced to help the economically weaker sections of upper castes. How will you do it?
In our election manifesto, we have promised to set up a Samanya Nirdhan Varga Aayog to identify weaker sections among the upper castes. We have successfully done it in Madhya Pradesh. It is basically an attempt to help the needy people of upper castes get employment or start self-employment. There are some central government schemes which are meant for SC/ST/OBCs only. But in Madhya Pradesh we have added some additional fund from the state government in those schemes and implemented them for the people of all categories. It has been a good experiment. There is no lack of resources in Uttar Pradesh. What is needed is their intelligent utilisation of them.
There are reports of infighting in the state BJP?
These are all media generated reports. There is perfect coordination among all our leaders. We know this election will decide the future course of national politics. It is because of our united efforts that we have been able to improve our base in the state. We are fighting this election to form a government. That is why we have infused all our strength. Some leaders from other states too have joined the UP workers in this fight.
But it is said some state leaders are unhappy over the entry of outside leaders?
Who is unhappy? The leaders who have come from other states are not going to stay here permanently. They are just helping the UP workers.
Rahul Gandhi also called Umaji an outsider?
Rahul Gandhi has no right to call anyone outsider. Umaji belongs to Madhya Pradesh, which is part of India. But Rahul’s mother has come from Italy. Before making such irresponsible statements he should appologise for the misdeeds that his party leaders committed during the last five decades, as they only looted the state and did nothing for development. Fact is that Congress has never been serious towards development. The backwardness and poverty seen in UP are deliberate and ‘credit’ for it goes to only the Congress.
How the tickets were distributed this time?
All the tickets were distributed after repeated feedback from the grass roots party workers. After the feedback from common workers, again a feedback was taken through district level workers. Some surveys were also conducted. Finally, the tickets were given to the candidates who can win.
Who will be the Chief Minister if the party comes to power?
The party has not taken any decision in this regard so far. The elected legislatures will select the CM.
What about Umaji?
She is our senior leader. The party will definitely be benefited from her experience and activeness in Uttar Pradesh.
Is there any possibility of post-poll alliance with any party?
We are firm not to join hands with any other party in Uttar Pradesh.
BJP National general secretary and incharge of Uttar Pradesh Shri Narendra Singh Tomar is confident of forming a government in Uttar Pradesh. He says the party is fighting for number one position. Shri Tomar is among the party leaders who played a key role in energising the party activists at both micro and macro level. Organiser senior correspondent Pramod Kumar spoke to him in Lucknow. Excerpts:
What were actually the calculations behind bringing Babu Singh Kushwaha into BJP fold?
Shri Babu Singh Kushwaha is a very influential OBC leader of Uttar Pradesh. Before joining the BJP, there was no case against him. It was only after he came with us, the CBI raided his house and a campaign began against him. In fact, the real target was BJP and not Shri Kushwaha alone. He also understood it and he himself suggested the party leadership to put his membership on hold till he comes clean. It was following his request that his membership was put on hold by the party.
Before his joining BJP, there were attempts in the Congress to bring him into their fold. He even reportedly had several rounds of talks with Rahul Gandhi on this issue. But he could not join the Congress as his supporters in OBCs did not agree to it. They opined that they have traditionally been the supporters of BJP and it is better to go with the BJP only.
Now after a thorough discussion with his supporters Shri Kushwaha formed a Rashtriya Adhikar Manch to expose the BSP corruption. So far, he has organised hundreds of meetings in the state and is appealing the people to vote for BJP. The huge gathering turning in his meetings is a clear indication that the people of OBCs do not believe that he is corrupt and the allegations against him are politically motivated. There are about 10 per cent OBC voters in Uttar Pradesh and out of them the BJP is sure to get over 4 per cent.
Where the BJP actually stands today in Uttar Pradesh?
During the 2009 Lok Sabha elections the party bagged 19 per cent votes, which were 2 per cent more than the votes we got in 2007 assembly polls. Now after our sustained efforts we are sure to get at least 24 per cent votes. We need just 3-4 per cent more votes to form a government, which we can capture from floating votes.
What are the main issues this time?
Development, good governance, corruption-free administration and snatching of OBC quota to appease Muslims are the four prominent issues. Our entire campaign is centred around these issues. These are appealing the voters too. There is clear and strong anti-incumbency against BSP and the people are not ready to give opportunity to SP. As far as the Congress is concerned, its ground network has totally collapsed. In this situation, only the BJP is the last hope.
The party has announced to help the economically weaker sections of upper castes. How will you do it?
In our election manifesto, we have promised to set up a Samanya Nirdhan Varga Aayog to identify weaker sections among the upper castes. We have successfully done it in Madhya Pradesh. It is basically an attempt to help the needy people of upper castes get employment or start self-employment. There are some central government schemes which are meant for SC/ST/OBCs only. But in Madhya Pradesh we have added some additional fund from the state government in those schemes and implemented them for the people of all categories. It has been a good experiment. There is no lack of resources in Uttar Pradesh. What is needed is their intelligent utilisation of them.
There are reports of infighting in the state BJP?
These are all media generated reports. There is perfect coordination among all our leaders. We know this election will decide the future course of national politics. It is because of our united efforts that we have been able to improve our base in the state. We are fighting this election to form a government. That is why we have infused all our strength. Some leaders from other states too have joined the UP workers in this fight.
But it is said some state leaders are unhappy over the entry of outside leaders?
Who is unhappy? The leaders who have come from other states are not going to stay here permanently. They are just helping the UP workers.
Rahul Gandhi also called Umaji an outsider?
Rahul Gandhi has no right to call anyone outsider. Umaji belongs to Madhya Pradesh, which is part of India. But Rahul’s mother has come from Italy. Before making such irresponsible statements he should appologise for the misdeeds that his party leaders committed during the last five decades, as they only looted the state and did nothing for development. Fact is that Congress has never been serious towards development. The backwardness and poverty seen in UP are deliberate and ‘credit’ for it goes to only the Congress.
How the tickets were distributed this time?
All the tickets were distributed after repeated feedback from the grass roots party workers. After the feedback from common workers, again a feedback was taken through district level workers. Some surveys were also conducted. Finally, the tickets were given to the candidates who can win.
Who will be the Chief Minister if the party comes to power?
The party has not taken any decision in this regard so far. The elected legislatures will select the CM.
What about Umaji?
She is our senior leader. The party will definitely be benefited from her experience and activeness in Uttar Pradesh.
Is there any possibility of post-poll alliance with any party?
We are firm not to join hands with any other party in Uttar Pradesh.
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