‘Grand alliance may prevent BJP from returning to power’

BJP MP from Allahabad Shyama Charan Gupta believes that if opposition parties form its proposed grand alliance, it may not only become difficult for the party to repeat its performance of 2014 but may also put a question mark on the BJP forming the next government at the Centre.

Excerpts from an interview with Kenneth John Will the BJP be able to repeat its performance of 2014 and form government again next year? BJP is unstoppable like an ‘Ashawamedh horse’ but in case of a ‘Mahagathbandhan’ (grand alliance) by opposition parties, BJP repeating its 2014 performance is doubtful and it would also become difficult for the party to form government at the Centre next year.

Do you think the VHP’s demand for construction of Ram temple, despite the case being pending in the court, justified? No. Temple can never be constructed through force. It will create communal tension. About 30 generations back, all our Muslim brothers were Hindus. We should invite and convince them for ‘ghar wapsi’ and help in construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya by following ‘Sanatan Dharm’ once again.

As a businessman, do you think introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was a successful tax reform? Will it affect the BJP’s prospects in 2019 elections? It has done more harm than good. The intention was noble but the initiative had too many shortcomings. It has hit middle and lower income traders with the latter switching on to other means of earning as maintenance of the system costs the trader more than the profit earned. It is not completely understood even today. GST is for business establishments with educated staff who can maintain records and not for small traders. If a trader misses out on any clause, penalty is a big threat for him.

Has demonetisation achieved its target of wiping out black money? It has rather helped offenders. The intent was undoubtedly good but I have not been able to understand what made the government introduce Rs 2,000 currency notes and discontinue Rs 1,000 bill. Offenders can very well now store Rs 10 lakh black money in just five bundles of Rs 2,000 than 10 bundles of Rs 1,000. Demonetisation hit middle and lower income group hard. Those affected by it will certainly act accordingly during elections.

Do you think there is a need to fix minimum qualification for politicians too? I feel sad when a class 10 pass minister issues orders to a well-qualified IAS officer. When the minimum qualification for every post is fixed, why should a politician without proper education sit on the top? One should be given a post only when one has adequate qualification and experience, or else, results will not be favourable.