TWO YEARS AFTER Yogi Adityanath became Uttar Pradesh chief minister, the state continues to lag in employment generation, stray cattle have annoyed farmers, roads remain riddled with potholes and questions about the many police encounters that happened soon after his ascension have become louder. The bright spot of his rule, so far, has been the glitch-free organisation of the Kumbh Mela.
With the Lok Sabha elections entering the final phase, there are whispers that his once safe seat of Gorakhpur is shaky, which explains the inordinate time he has spent here campaigning for the BJP candidate, Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan. The BJP’s showing in the 80 seats will be key in deciding the future of the controversial leader. Excerpts from an interview:
How do you place the BJP after six phases of polling?
Our calculations remain the same as they were before the election. The BJP will win 74 plus seats in Uttar Pradesh. In the country, the BJP on its own will win 300 seats and 400 plus with its allies.
Are you looking at new allies?
The existing members of the National Democratic Alliance will get these numbers.
How do you look at the BSP-SP alliance?
The public perception about the Samajwadi Party is that whenever it is in power in the state, there is large-scale lawlessness and goondagardi (hooliganism). Whenever the BSP has been in power, it has only given rise to corruption, disorder and unpleasantness. Today, the BSP-SP combine is most worried about the fact that the BJP has taken away its core vote bank. The largest benefits of schemes have gone to (their core voter). Those who do the politics of caste and nepotism are failing.
Do you see a role for the Congress in the state, especially after the entry of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra?
The Congress has no role in this state. Priyanka Vadra was here in 2014 and in 2017 for the elections. She has admitted that the role of the Congress is limited to taking away votes. She is not here to win any seats. Why will voters give a chance to individuals or parties who have no interest in winning? The electorate is aware of this vote katwa (cutter) policy.
What makes this election different for the BJP?
This is the first election after independence where the common man wants to make a selection for the country. Modiji is everyone’s first choice for prime minister. Above caste, region, language and religion, this is a face recognised for its leadership, clarity and honesty. No other party has this kind of leadership. The party and its allies are fighting this election in his name and the party will be successful in his name.
Our other biggest strength is the organisational strategy. Since he became party president, Amit Shah has focused on the organisation and has made it very robust. Today, there is no booth in the country where you will not find a BJP worker.
What about the other states?
In West Bengal and Kerala, where the challenges for the party seemed insurmountable, we are set to have unprecedented success. It will be beyond our imagination.
Can we consider this election to be a report card of your government’s performance?
This is the first time that, after successful completion of its five-year term, there is no negativity against a government among the public. This holds good for the prime minister and for the government he heads. There is no anti-incumbency. There is no negativity about the state government because of the success we have had in implementing the policies of the Central government. The party will reap the benefits of our work.
Who will be responsible if it is a bad report card?
The report card will be in our favour. We are a hopeful party. We believe in karma. We are in this election with complete faith, honesty, enthusiasm and strength. The gathbandhan (BSP-SP alliance) has already started trading charges. In Ghazipur, their workers came to blows. They are ready to break each other’s heads.
Do you think there has been violence in the name of cow protection in Uttar Pradesh? If so, do you regret it?
There has been no such incident in Uttar Pradesh in the past two years... not in the name of cow protection. There have been no riots. Law and order in Uttar Pradesh is a model for the entire country. Six phases of the election have been conducted without a single incidence of violence. In West Bengal, there has been violence in every phase.
If you have been so successful, why speak about the ‘green virus’ or ‘Ali Bajrang Bali’?
If there is actually a growing virus that is affecting the election, an antidote will have to be given.
Much like the Union government, yours is seen as a one-person government.
This is wrong. There is a cabinet. All decisions are taken by the cabinet. The chief minister only chairs the cabinet. The government is working well on the ideals and principles of the BJP. We are fully committed in our duties towards the public.
Do you see yourself as a successor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi?
I am nowhere in that race. I am only an ordinary worker of the party in Uttar Pradesh. For me, it is important to use politics as a medium to serve and do good for the 23 crore people of the state.
What if the result of the Supreme Court’s mediation in the Ayodhya issue is against the building of the temple?
We do not believe in ifs. There is a temple of Lord Ram in Ayodhya and a temple will be built on the same spot.