‘THE PUBLIC WANTS ME IN THE IMAGE I HAVE’
It’s been more than a fortnight since don-turned-politician MOHAMMAD SHAHABUDDIN walked out of jail after 11 years to a jubilant crowd of supporters. In an interview with Satyavrat Mishra, the Rashtriya Janata Dal vice-president makes it clear that he is not going to change his image just because the media wants him to
You have been away from Siwan for 13 years. What did you miss most in jail? My people; I am what I am today because of my people. I missed meeting them. However, I am back with my people and I am very happy about that. Within moments of stepping out of jail, you created a furore in Bihar’s Grand Alliance by calling Chief Minister Nitish Kumar a leader of circumstance. Do you stand by your statement or do you want to clarify that? You don’t know me, I am not someone who changes his stand, according to comfort. My word is my honour. I never back out from what I say. I stand by what I said. It’s just that some people hear what they want to hear.
I don’t think I said anything wrong. A political collation is stitched according to the need of circumstances. In the late 1970s, the socialists and the rightists stitched a coalition to remove Indiraji (former prime minister Indira Gandhi) from power. All the big names wanted to be PM at that time, but circumstances led to the appointment of Morarji Desai. This time again, when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Narendra Modi contested the Bihar Assembly polls, socialist forces united against a communal agenda. We defeated the BJP and Nitishji became chief minister in certain circumstances.
You said Lalu Prasad is your leader, not Nitish Kumar. This has angered several several Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leaders.
(Laughing) What’s wrong with that? I am a member of the executive committee of the RJD and hold the post of vice-president in the party. Who else will my leader be? For JD-U leaders Nitishji is their leader, just as for Congress workers Rahul Gandhi is the leader. It’s as simple as that. Is mein itna hai-tauba machane ki kya baat hai (Why the hullabaloo)?
You have a certain image associated with you. Do you want to change that image?
What is the meaning of democracy? Tell me. It’s about the people. The public wants me in this image. Who am I to deny them their leader? Why should I change my image? People love me as I am and I am happy as the people love me. When god created me, he didn’t put in a reverse gear.
However, do you feel uncomfortable here? Do you see any gunmen on my side? Did anyone threaten you since you arrived in Siwan? Do I threaten you? Nahi na (I don’t, right) then why does the media portray me as a don? I am not at all bothered about what the media calls me, I only care about my people. You have seen the kind of support I enjoy across the state.
The BJP has been portraying your release as an example of the return of “jungle raj” in Bihar. How—
(Interrupts) I know several BJP leaders myself. Many of them have visited me in the last few days, although privately. Most of them are good people, but are forced to spit fire to get votes. I don’t pay much attention to what they say.
How much has Siwan changed in the last 13 years? Have things taken a turn for the better or for the worse?
I am yet to see that. People are still coming in to meet me and I surrounded by this wall of supporters. Not that I am complaining, but I am yet to go out in the city and the villages to see the place of my birth. As soon as this wall of people gets thinner, I will go out and meet everyone in Siwan.
How will you change the system?
The change will come through education. You have to bring new knowledge and new education. We have to set up a Vedic Education Board, which I think should come up shortly. Education brings drastic changes in the process of thinking and culture.
What about the law and order situation of Siwan in the last 10 years?
I was extremely fond of samosas from a shop owned by a sardarji. He called me up a couple of days ago and congratulated me on my bail. It was then I came to know that he was forced to shut down his shop and move to another location. So, crime was still there in Siwan even when I was in jail. People were still forced to move even when they didn’t want to. This is all I have to say on this matter. This is what I saw in the last few days.
So, will you keep fighting for Siwan?
Mujhe ladai shabd se problem hai (I have a problem with the word, ladai). It smacks of violence and violence breeds violence. It is not good for politics. Yes, I will keep struggling for the development of Siwan, but it will not be a fight.
Have you spoken to Lalu Prasad after your release?
No, I haven’t, but then there is no need for it. Bharose ka rishta hai, shabdon ki gunjaish nahi
hai (It’s a bond of trust, there is no need for words). We share a natural relationship that has lasted 27 years. We trust each other implicitly. Nobody can come between us or set us up against each other. What do you think of his sons, Tejaswi and Tej Pratap Yadav? It is good the second generation is coming into politics. I have not met them after they came into politics. They were very young, in fact teenagers, when I went to jail. I have high hopes from Tejaswi. I have read his statements in the newspaper. He is balanced and mature and he needs to be appreciated. My best wishes are with him.
However, I have not read much of Tej Pratap or Misa Bharti’s statements, so I can’t speak about them.
Do you think Tejaswi Yadav will be better suited to succeed Prasad in the RJD?
As I said, I don’t know him that well, so I can’t form an opinion about him. However, I find him balanced and mature among the younger generations of leaders. Aage dekhte hain (Let’s see what happens in the future). Do you plan to visit Patna or Delhi in the near future to meet the RJD leadership? I have been in Patna and Delhi and it doesn’t feel like home there. I have been away from my people for too long. I am very happy to be with them. I am not going anywhere now.