‘ RSS doesn’t give us any directions’
ROAD AHEAD Gadkari says he has no plans to take up PM post in 2019; claims Opposition creating perception of overcentralisation in the functioning of the Narendra Modi govt
NEW DELHI: Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari handles critical infrastructure ministries and is widely perceived to be the most independent voice in the Narendra Modi government. He spoke to
Moushumi Das Gupta and Prashant Jha
on Prime Minister Modi’s style of functioning, the relationship between the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP, the differences between the BJP and its allies, the projects he has overseen, and why he does not see himself as a contender for the prime minister’s post in 2019. Edited excerpts: Thawar Chand Gehlot has resolved a host of issues to do with sites associated with (BR) Ambedkar’s life which the government has acquired and is developing; to encourage Dalits to enter business, Dharmendra Pradhan took out a special order for the Dalit Chamber of Commerce.
Every department has worked according to their plan. The difference is that my ministry makes roads. It shows. What will the health ministry or social justice or education ministry say? But the work that they do results in improvement of services. We had a problem because of the political perception that was created following the Supreme Court’s decision. But if we had controlled the judiciary like the Opposition says, do you think we would have got into trouble because of the court’s order? It’s a judicial decision. Blaming us for it is not fair. Tell me one scheme where we have kept out Dalits or minorities? We have not brought caste and religion in any of our social security schemes.
But the Congress’s capital is fear. They are trying to create fear in the minds of Dalit and Muslims.
They tell Muslims the BJP will send them back to Pakistan and demolish mosques; they tell Dalits that the BJP will rewrite Babasaheb’s constitution. Their strategy is if you can’t convince, confuse. We have ministers from the minority community at the Centre, in Uttar Pradesh, in the alliance in Jammu & Kashmir, and in other states. Our definition of secularism is justice for all — ‘sabka saath sabka vikas’. Here, the definition of secularism is appeasement of terrorists.
In the media, too, someone with a saffron robe is put on screen; he then says something; and then that is used that to attack us, even though we keep wondering who the person is. There are people who are unhappy that someone from the RSS-BJP is the PM.
They have not been able to digest it. They opposed in the past, including framing false cases against innocent people. And they continue to oppose us using communalism and casteism. Their unity is because of our strength. If we were weak, they would not have united. We will fight them. We are not here because of anyone’s mercy. All these people — leftists, antiHindutva, anti-national forces — never spared us. We had to fight every inch of the way and will do so. Some people are trying to build this kind of an image but it is not the truth. We will try to take our friends along by election-time. He is a true Gandhian. It was Gandhi-ji’s dream that after Independence, Congress should be dissolved. Nehru, Indira, Rajiv, Sonia failed to do it. Now Rahul has taken it upon himself to fulfill Gandhi-ji’s dream (laughs). Do you really think it will happen? Will Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Lalu’s party (RJD) support him? Do you see statements in his support? However, I think it is important for the democracy that there is a strong Opposition. They should do good work. Our best wishes are with them. The public will decide. The Sangh is not political. It does not give any direction to the party. The Sangh is a little active on issues of national security, education, history, culture, but when it comes to politics, it does not tell us who should be given tickets... Their concern is that there be no threat to the nation, that the nation progresses. They don’t pressure us or give direction. Even when there are two people, there is difference of opinion. That is the soul of democracy. When there are differences, it is followed with discussions. When discussion happens, the problem gets solved. I don’t know about this. I am not a spokesperson for the Sangh. I am a swayamsevak - the Sangh is a part of my life’s convictions. Only the Sangh has a right to say what it thinks or does not think. Only they will be able to answer this. What do you tell your child? That he has to pass on merit. But if he passes with 75% marks, you don’t say he has failed but that his performance is below target. Also, my ministry’s targets, except for roads, have been met. From 2km of roads getting constructed per day, I said I will take the target to 40 km a day. It was big target, but I managed to do 28 km a day. Next fiscal, we will cross 40 km. In the first year, by giving a 40 km target, I changed the mentality of the ministry. Targets are always big. And they are realised bit by bit. There is a difference between commitment and target. If I fail in my commitment you tell me then. I will achieve the targets by the time five years get over.
Out of 189 projects, 47 have been completed. I have awarded 95% of the project. By March 2019, approximately 70-80% of the Ganga will be cleaned. My target is to get the entire Ganga cleaned but maybe we will not be able to achieve this. Not at all. I have got way more than my capabilities and standing. Our party will win and Narendra bhai will become the PM. I don’t know if the people who say this are my friends or enemies. It’s not right to say such things. I have never had any ambition in life. I have not given my biodata to anyone. I did not put a garland around anybody’s neck. I have never asked anyone for anything. I am an ordinary person, a small worker. While taking care of my family, I want to do whatever is possible honestly for the country. I have done work worth ₹10 lakh crore, but not taken a penny from a contractor. I think that politics is an instrument of socio-economic reform... I am neither dreaming of becoming PM nor is it in my mind.