‘People see me as person who will implement Modi’s guarantees’
Union minister for environment, forest and climate change Bhupender Yadav is confident of his victory from Alwar parliamentary seat. He says people have full faith in Modi ki Guarantee and they see him as the person who will implement the PM Modi’s guarantees for the development of the constituency. In an interview with Devendra Bharadwaj, the Union minister spoke on various issues from his candidature to challenges ahead. Edited excerpts:
What all contributed to your nomination as a BJP candidate from Alwar?
I am emotionally invested in the development of Alwar and enjoyed a relationship with the constituency spanning 40 years. As a Rajya Sabha MP, I have initiated over 190 developmental projects in the area.As far as the party’s reason is concerned, I am not the right person to answer that question. I can only thank the party leadership for giving me the opportunity.
Being a first time candidate from the seat, are you facing any challenges?
As I said earlier, I have a decades-long relationship with Alwar. For my current campaign, I have covered the entire constituency several times over, and the response I am getting is overwhelming. There are lakhs of beneficiaries of government schemes in the area.We have built the Sariska elevated sound-proof road, ensured two medical colleges in Alwar, from Trai Beri to Natani Ka Bara the road has been broadened to smoothen traffic flow.
We have built the DelhiMumbai Expressway which has significantly reduced the travel time. The people know about these things and are standing solidly behind me.They have full faith in Modi Ki Guarantee and see me as the person who will implement PM Modi’s guarantee of development in Alwar.
I am committed to Alwar’s all-round development. The people have therefore decided
With the Congress’s trying to float a narrative of you being an ‘outsider’, do you think this could go against you in upcoming polls?
Ajmer is my birthplace. My ancestral village is in Haryana. I have worked across the country. I am an Indian, and no Indian is an outsider anywhere in the country.The Congress is habitual of creating narratives seeded in hate. Outsider/insider, they/us. They live off hatred. They are trying to paint me as an outsider in a place that I carry in my heart.
Honestly, I couldn’t have cared less. What people want today is development and constructive politics. Congress has missed the pulse of the people and that is why it is talking of issues that find no resonance among public.
You can see it on the ground. I am meeting people across age groups. They are saying Bhupender to aapno hai ( Bhupender is our own).
Alwar is moving towards a potable water scarcity. What are your views on that and if elected what do you plan to do to tackle it?
Water scarcity is a major issue among the people of Alwar. And I take this opportunity to mention that it is due to the Congress that the constituency is parched.They looted the money meant to ensure that people have potable water.
Over the next five years, as a representative of the people, I am going to work towards ensuring that Alwar doesn’t have any shortage of water.
Three schemes of the Modi government are already working in this direction. We have the ministry of Jal Shakti which leads the “Jal Jeevan Mission”. The mission ensures “Har Ghar Jal” (potable water for every household). We have the Amrit Sarovar scheme which harvests rain water. It ensures rainwater is not wasted and water table is maintained.There is also the river interlinking project.
Water woes in Alwar will end because potable water for every household is Modi’s guarantee.
Last year, the Congress government approved a ₹38 crore project to bring water to Alwar from Siliserh lake. Even after three months, why is the BJP government unable to implement the project?
The Congress wants to keep Alwar parched so that they can ask for votes. They have always kept people deprived so that they can manipulate people to vote for them. This has been their strategy for seven decades. But people have understood the game now. This is the reason why the Congress is being voted out of power.
The Congress pocketed the money meant for laying water connections. On the water front, work is underway. We are going to leave no stone unturned to ensure Alwar gets water. I have already told you, we are going to work on three fronts to ensure water in Alwar.
What is the scope and your road map for the development of Alwar?
There is a strong scope of development in Alwar. It is a land with endless possibilities. As a land of Raja Bhartrihari, I think this is the ideal place to implement Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji’s vision of “Vikas and Virasat” (development and tradition).
Alwar’s Sariska Tiger Reserve can also be the pivot to augment tourism and help communities around the reserve to gain from the livelihood opportunities it entails.Besides, pottery, sweets industry and dairy have potential to ensure the region leads India’s growth story as we march towards becoming the third-largest global economy.I am happy and enthusiastic to work with the people of Alwar to accelerate development here.
Do you think the issue of electoral bonds will impact your BJP’s poll campaign in any way?
The electoral bonds ensured formalisation of political funding. Those who have a problem with the system wanted to pocket the political donations meant for parties. Their aim is to keep the money with certain families.The money from electoral bonds went to all parties and not just the BJP. The Congress got it, the TMC got it, BRS got it. The Congress does not believe in banks, they believe in family coffers. This is the Congress’s system.
Electoral bonds was a new system with the right intention. Formalisation of party donations into formal economy. It could have had a few loopholes that needed fixing, not scrapping. This is part of the electoral reforms that are imperative.
The opposition is levelling allegations of political misuse of central agencies. What is your stand on this?
What would a thief do if caught stealing? He would blame the system that caught him. It is the same with opposition. They are blaming the Enforcement Directorate and the government because the have been caught.
Tell me if the government is wrong, if the ED is wrong, are the courts also wrong?
This would be laughable if it wasn’t so dangerous. They are trying to weaken institutions by constantly creating doubts in the minds of the people.
The Enforcement Directorate has to present evidence in the court of law to keep someone in custody. Even a layperson would knows that. I will rest my case with that.