We are working 12-15 hours a day: Vasundhara

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje spent a number of days in the Bharatpur division under the programme “Sarkaar Aapke Dwar”. She spoke to Vishal Baristo in Bharatpur about her plans and the Lok Sabha elections, among other things. Excerpts: Q: After a landslide victory in the Assembly elections, the general elections ought to be a cakewalk for you. So why are you travelling in trains, eating mid-day meals, holding Cabinet meetings in public. Is this the AAP effect? A: This has nothing to do with elections. We started this on day one. Most people would have gone back to celebrate in their constituencies after the BJP won 163 seats. Instead, we are working 12 to 15 hours a day. Celebrations can wait. We believe that we owe this dedicated hard work to the people. In my last tenure this region was left out, so we are starting from Bharatpur. Q: The Congress has a new regional chief in Sachin Pilot. How do you react to this change? A: I have nothing to say about the Congress. What they have or haven’t done is for the people to judge. You see 66 years of democracy and if you take 12 years out of that which is the time Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and I were CM, the Congress party has had a run of 53 years. If they had the will, with five decades under their belt, Rajasthan should have fared much better than the way it is today. Q: For the Congress the Rs 40,000 crore Barmer refinery and the Jaipur Metro were the USP for the Gehlot government. But you have announced to review both the projects. Why? A: The refinery per say is very good for Rajasthan — if it becomes a reality. But as of now, it is mired in land scams. Since there was a lot of government land available in Pachpadra, he (for- mer Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot) could have started the project from Pachpadra. Instead, he first invited Union Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily and announced the refinery in Lilala, triggering a land deal spree there. Six months later, when land was being bought and sold in Lilala, he suddenly announced that the refinery will come up in Pachpadra, as a result of which land price there hit the roof. Q: What is wrong with the Jaipur Metro project? A: You cannot compromise with the heritage status of the city. Our tourism thrives on our heritage and Gehlot wanted to destroy the walled city — which was established in the 18th century by Sawai Jai Singh — by erecting huge pillars for the Metro. I would certainly like to review the project. Q: Congress’ claim of Muslims in Gopalgarh voting for them has fallen flat. How do you react? A: Let me remind you that Congress fielded 16 Muslim candidates and all lost the Assembly elections. We gave tickets to four and two won. For the Gopalgarh debacle, it was clearly the Gehlot government that was responsible. Ten Muslims died in the police firing on 14th September 2011. Q: How effective will the NaMo factor be in Rajasthan in the Lok Sabha elections? A: Mr Modi has been a phenomenon in the country. He is connecting to the people. And yes surely he would make a difference for us.