YOGI TO JOINT OPPOSITION: DECLARE WHO YOUR LEADER IS
LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has demanded that the “joint” opposition declare its leader and the common issues before entering the 2019 polls.
Unfazed by reports about the opposition reaching a broad agreement on giving a joint fight to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), regardless of which member of the coalition emerged as the head after the polls, the chief minister said the people are aware of the fact that they were uniting with the sole agenda of stopping the Narendra Modi juggernaut. They do not want development of the country, he said.
In an interview to Hindustan Times, Adityanath said the Bjp-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) had entered the poll fray under the declared leadership of Prime Minister Modi.
The BJP and its allies had also worked out a common minimum programme, which was put before the people. What about the opposition, Adityanath asked. Have they evolved any consensus on the issues on which they will be contesting the elections?
Reports about the Opposition arriving at a broad consensus to jointly take on the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2019 general elections have been doing the rounds. On Friday, some visitors, while waiting to meet Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath at his official bungalow, were doing a rough calculation of the combined votes of the opposition vis-a-vis the Bjp-led National Democratic Alliance in the 2014 polls. However, Adityanath appeared quite calm, considering the fact that UP’S contribution to the BJP’S kitty would be crucial to its return to power in 2019. Interestingly, he had just returned from Noida, heedless of the so-called jinx surrounding CMS visiting the place. There is a superstition that any chief minister visiting Noida loses power.
In an interview to
Sunita Aron and Rajesh Singh,
Adityanath fielded all questions, even uncomfortable ones, with a smile. Edited excerpts:
Recent studies indicate a serious challenge to the BJP from the united opposition? You agree the fight will get tougher?
Have they decided the common issues on which they are going to contest the elections? Have they decided their leader who will lead them to the poll arena? Will Mamata (Banerjee), Akhilesh (Yadav), Sharad Pawar or Mayawati agree to work under Rahul Gandhi? People know the truth. Why are they side-stepping the contentious leadership issue. People know it is an alliance against the BJP and Narendra Modi, symbolic of their opportunism and anti-development mindset. The opposition wants to defeat the BJP to stop Modi and the development of the country and plunge it in a state of anarchy. It is an alliance to once again create political instability in the country.
But even the BJP had entered the 2014 poll arena with about two dozen allies.how is it different from a Congress alliance with likeminded parties?
NDA had contested the 2014 elections under a declared common minimum programme (CMP) and its leader Narendra Modi. There was no confusion as all the partners were involved in formulation of the CMP. It was a pre-electoral arrangement. Even though BJP mustered an overwhelming majority, the NDA formed the government. Thus it was a complete alliance. I have travelled to all the 75 districts of UP and found a favourable climate. People will vote on national issues and for Modi. BJP returning to power with absolute majority is beyond doubt.
You claim a win in 75 seats, including the Gandhis’ bastions of Rae Bareli and Amethi?
Our performance will once again be spectacular and we will win both Rae Bareli and Amethi. The Gandhis have lost Amethi earlier also and they will lose it again.
UP is crucial to BJP’S return to power in 2019. Can the CongressSamajwadi Partybahujan Samaj Party combine upset the party’s applecart in the elections?
The people of the state have seen and suffered their misrule, riots, anarchy. Who does not want good governance, peace and security? The government has performed. In one year our government has delivered hundred times more than the SP government could deliver in five years. All those who voted for us in 2014 will again support the BJP. But even those who drifted to other parties for some reason would also support us.
But states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar vote on caste considerations than performance of the governments...
Like the 2014 and 2017 polls, caste loyalties are going to break once again in 2019. Again the election will be on the issue of nationalism and development.
But the upper castes are unhappy with the provisions of the Scheduled Castes/scheduled Tribes Act. It was under their pressure that (former Uttar Pradesh chief minister) Kalyan Singh had diluted certain provisions?
The law is already in force in UP, there is no confusion about it. Even otherwise, every caste and community must get justice.
Your opponents accuse you and the BJP of doing politics of communal polarisation by raising issues of cow slaughter, temple.
It’s an issue of faith. We don’t discriminate on the basis of caste or community like the Akhilesh Yadav government did by supplying electricity to Dewa Sharief while denying it to the Mahadev temple. The issue of ‘Kabristan’ and ‘Shamshan’ was also raised primarily because of the discrimination by the previous government. My government believes in uniting everybody.
But the Modi government is completing five years without fulfilling its Ayodhya temple promise. The spiritual leaders are angry?
I met the saints and they are not angry. Rather, they are happy over the development work ongoing in Mathura, Kashi, Ayodhya. Other things (referring to the temple) will also happen when the time will come.
Even as CM, you don’t attend festivities like Eid and Christmas. Is it a religious binding on you as head of Gorakhnath Peeth?
No, there is no such religious binding on me. Instead, my government ensures celebration of all festivals with full fervour in the state. We respect the sentiments of everyone and give full freedom to celebrate. Not a single complaint of discrimination has come from any part of the state in the past 16 months. I head a huge state with 75 districts, 350 tehsils and 823 development blocks. Much depends on my schedule, but I meet everybody. I always send my wishes and senior ministers to attend the festivities.
Is UP planning action against illegal Bangadeshis along the lines of Assam?
It’s unfortunate that questions are being raised on the national register of citizens (NRC) draft. I think the Assam government should be congratulated on its move to identify infiltrators as they deprive Dalits, the poor and the oppressed of their rights, besides risking national security. Let the issue be settled in Assam first. Anyway, a survey is already on in UP to identify illegal immigrants.
There is a demand to enact a law on lynchings? The first case was reported from the state when Akhlaq was lynched in Dadri?
It did not happen in my regime. We have strictly banned cow slaughter – one reason cited behind lynchings. When we talk about the security of people, we should also respect the sentiments of people. Cow slaughter is illegal, banned by the law. People should adhere to it. State governments should control such incidents. There is no need for a law then.
The Opposition has demanded that the Election Commission (EC) use ballot papers, not electronic voting machines (EVMS) in the 2019 general elections...
It only reflects the Opposition’s frustration. Tell me, which party has not come to power after the introduction of EVMS? The BSP and SP won Uttar Pradesh in 2007 and 2012. The Congress came to power in Punjab. The EC is a constitutional authority and it is wrong to put them in the dock.
The commission has, after detailed investigations, ruled out tampering of EVMS. Those who capture booths are demanding the use of ballot papers. EVMS checked the practice of booth capturing.
Why is Hindu Yuva Vahini lying dormant? There are speculations about its merger with the BJP?
The Hindu Yuva Vahini is engaged in social activities. The BJP cadre is also doing its own work. There is no clash.
You did not grow up in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) boots. Have they accepted you? Do they interfere too much in administration?
RSS is the only cultural organisation in the country which is engaged in massive social activity without any support from the government. They don’t interfere in administration.
Are you satisfied with the performance of your ministers? There has been no reshuffle.
Yes, I do a regular review of all departments. They are working efficiently, as per their capacity. We will reshuffle as and when required.
The state has held the Investors’ Summit and a groundbreaking ceremony. What’s next?
It is a beginning, not an end. The foundation of UP’S industrialisation has been laid. Now, the focus will be on implementation of the Mous (memorandums of understanding). Thereafter, a Global Investors’ Summit will be held. It’s too early to announce the date.