Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Rajya Sabha MP Hardeep Singh Puri shares his insights with Organiser’s Senior Assistant Editor Nishant Kumar Azad on the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. He speaks candidly about issues like corruption, governance, pollution control, and the party’s commitment to improving the lives of Delhi’s residents. Excerpts:
BJP is out of power for over two decades in Delhi. Where do you see the party in this assembly polls?
There is massive anti-incumbency against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government and Arvind Kejriwal. His credibility is at an all-time low. The AAP started as an anti-corruption political movement but has now become the most corrupt political outfit in the country. Corruption and non-performance have been their defining traits. The BJP, on the other hand, has consistently delivered on its promises. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have undertaken several initiatives, including housing projects for the urban poor. In Delhi, we have provided homes under the Jahan Jhuggi, Wahan Makaan initiative, ensuring that slum dwellers get proper housing with essential amenities. This is in contrast to AAP, which has done little for these people.
When PM Modi inaugurated the Swabhimaan Apartments for informal settlers, after a few days Kejriwal alleged that if the BJP comes to power, it will demolish all informal settlements in Delhi. How do you respond to this?
That is an absolute lie. The BJP’s policy is clear—we do not want to remove people from their homes; we want to give them permanent housing with proper facilities. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, millions of people across Bharat have received homes, and we are working to ensure the same in Delhi. We actually waited for the Kejriwal Government to act on it but they stayed quiet even though it is a state subject. It is PM Modi’s dream to provide pucca awas to everyone living in the slums. His policy is very clear, we want to settle these people.
There have been concerns regarding the pollution levels in the Yamuna River and overall air quality in Delhi. How does the BJP plan to address these issues?
The AAP government has completely failed in addressing pollution. Since long time, Kejriwal has been making promises to clean the Yamuna River, yet today, we are debating whether it is 500 times or 2,000 times more polluted than safe levels. Air quality is deteriorating, and the incumbent government has no effective action plan. The BJP will take concrete steps using the best global expertise. Pollution control cannot be achieved with mere slogans, it requires action. Kejriwal’s Government has spent millions on advertisements but done little to improve environmental conditions.
Rahul Gandhi, at the inauguration of Congress headquarters, stated that the Congress and Opposition are fighting against BJP, RSS, and the Indian state. How do you see this controversial statement?
Frankly speaking, I am not surprised, but I am appalled. Anyone with even a basic understanding of politics would know that while political parties can have differences with the BJP, to say that one wants to take up a fight against the Indian state is a different matter altogether. This shows that he lacks an understanding of Indian politics and even of what is in his own best interest.
A few months ago, during the last Parliament session, Rahul Gandhi used to wave copies of the Constitution, sometimes wrapped in cellophane. When we got hold of one of those copies, it became evident that he hadn’t even read it. One of those cellophane-wrapped copies contained a preface that was critical of the Congress Party’s imposition of the Emergency. This so-called young leader has been relaunched multiple times but lacks his own independent thought. He is heavily influenced by what I call the George Soros ‘toolkit gang.’
“On one side, there is a Government that has failed in governance, is mired in corruption, and has broken all its promises. On the other side, we have a Government under Prime Minister Modi that has delivered real progress”
Rahul Gandhi goes and signs agreements with the parties of Communist states and doesn’t make them public. He goes out of Bharat and uses the first opportunity to criticise the country. May be he is giving vent to his political frustration. You can be against any political party but Indian state is your mother.
Secondly, the little I have known about the RSS and the more I learn, my admiration for it continues to grow. The RSS consists of people who have dedicated their lives to social service. Whenever there is a natural calamity or any difficulty, RSS volunteers step in to help the people. Their defining principle is ‘nation first.’ To say that one wants to politically fight against them—what exactly is being opposed? Their commitment to social service? Their nation-first sentiment? It is clear that people like Rahul Gandhi do not understand what they are talking about.
When talking about the Sikh community, we see that BJP government has done a lot for them whether it’s at the national level or the global level. Still it seems that there is a disconnect. As a Sikh leader, how do you see the BJP’s relationship with the community?
The BJP and PM Modi have done more for the Sikh community than any previous Government. The Government facilitated the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor and taken several measures to support Sikhs in distress, including those from Afghanistan.
As for the Congress Party, they authorised the attack on the Golden Temple and oversaw the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in which thousands were killed. They have never even apologised for these atrocities. The Sikh community recognises the difference between genuine support and political opportunism.
There have been attempts to create a rift between the Sikh and Hindu community. What do you think about this?
There are always elements in society that try to create divisions. Some people deliberately spread misunderstandings, but the Sikh and Hindu communities have historically stood together. Our outreach efforts will continue to ensure that such divisions are not allowed to take root.
Finally, what message would you like to give to the people of Delhi ahead of the elections?
The people of Delhi must choose wisely. On one side, there is a Government that has failed in governance, is mired in corruption, and has broken all its promises. On the other side, we have a Government under Prime Minister Modi that has delivered real progress—housing for the poor, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development. The BJP is committed to making Delhi a world-class city, and we will ensure that the people’s aspirations are met.
