‘Not for political vendetta, but in the interest of the state, BJP will probe graft charges against Harish Rawat govt if it comes to power’

DEHRADUN: BJP MP Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s name is doing the round in the party circle as one of the probable chief ministerial candidates in the event of the party forming a government in Uttarakhand. In a têteà-tête with the Hindustan Times, the former chief minister said if the party forms the government after the announcement of results on Saturday, it would order an inquiry into the corruption charges against the Harish Rawat-led Congress government.

Here are the excerpts of the interview:

Exit polls have predicted a BJP win in Uttarakhand, your take?

Law and order in the Himalayan state has deteriorated. Corruption is so widely prevalent that even chief minister was caught in a sting video. People were angry with Harish Rawat’s rule and they pinned hope in PM Modi.

Modiji’s charisma and his positive approach helped us in a big way.

You were the CM for less than six months in 20012002. Do you feel you should get another chance?

I am not a claimant for the chief ministerial post. The party has given me enough opportunities to serve it. I have also tried to give best to the party and the state. I get a lot of love and affection from supporters and people, and that’s the biggest asset for me.

Will the BJP probe the corruption allegations against Rawat government if it comes to power?

Definitely, the BJP government will look into the wrongdoings of Rawat government. Personally, I am not for any political vendetta. But in the interest of the state, the government will take corrective measures.

Expectations from the BJP are going to be very high if it forms the government. How will it handle the pressure?

We will fulfill all the aspirations of the people. The financial health of the state is in doldrums.

The youths are leaving hills in search of jobs. These are the priority areas which the new government must address.

BJP had accommodated many turncoats? Does this concern you?

The concerns of party workers are obvious, but there is nothing to worry. In fact, several leaders from various parties joined the BJP even before the general elections in 2014. At times we have to take strategic decisions (to make a way for turncoats).

But once they are with us, they adopt party’s culture. No one can dare to even think of doing wrong under a BJP regime.