Interview/ Samrat Choudhary, Bihar deputy chief minister
SAMRAT CHOUDHARY IS the BJP's rising star in Bihar. He was Nitish Kumar's biggest critic till a few months ago, but now he has joined hands with Nitish and wants to fulfil Modi's mandate to get 400 seats for the NDA. In an interview, he talks about Nitish, the BJP's chances and the caste equations in the state. Excerpts:
Q/ Has Nitish Kumar's entry into the NDA enhanced your chances? Your opponents think otherwise.
A/ Nitish Kumar is a big leader of Bihar. His entry will certainly help us; there are no two ways about it.
Q/ Comparing the manifestos, the Congress has promised many new things while the BJP talks about Modi Guarantee.
A/ They are only selling dreams, while we are delivering them on ground. In Bihar, with Modi's blessing we have a double-engine government. We are giving Rs2 lakh to 94 lakh families. We are giving Rs10 lakh each to people for self-employment.
Q/ The INDIA bloc seems to be working well in Bihar. Does it pose a challenge?
A/ Where is it in Bihar? Where is coordination between them? What is happening in Purnea? (Pappu Yadav, who recently joined the Congress, is contesting as an independent here).
Q/ So Modi's slogan of 400 paar will see fruition?
A/ Of course, it will. The opposition does not have a face, policy or any principle. They have come together to loot people.
Q/ How much resonance does the Ram Temple have?
A/ It will have a huge impact. The descendants of Lord Ram stay here. Ram is followed by all sections. Bihar is Modimay (impressed with Modi) for fulfilling the commitment of the construction of the Ram Temple.
Q/ INDIA bloc talks about caste survey. Where do you stand on this?
A/ They have not done anything on the issue. On June 20, 2022, when we were part of the NDA government with Nitish Kumar as chief minister, the cabinet passed a decision to conduct a caste survey. But the INDIA bloc did not do anything.
Q/ How much impact would the outcome of the Lok Sabha polls have on the assembly elections next year?
A/ It will definitely have an impact. The INDIA bloc is not even fighting the Lok Sabha elections. They are contesting these elections with an eye on the assembly elections next year. But nothing will come out of it for them.
Q/ How do you look at caste equations? The INDIA bloc, particularly the RJD, works on the Muslim-Yadav factor.
A/ It is a contest between 80-20 (where 20 represents the RJD). Bihar will move forward and become developed. People will reject Lalu Prasad.
Q/ The BJP chose new faces as chief ministers in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, and to lead the party in Bihar. Is this a message?
A/ I am an ordinary worker. I have been given a responsibility, which I will fulfil.
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Q/ Will we see a BJP chief minister in the state?
A/ Any worker would want his party to form the government and have its own chief minister. But today, we respect Nitish Kumar as CM and we are with him.
Q/ There are talks that you will be the CM if the party has to make such a choice.
A/ Neither do I have such dreams nor do I think about it. I am not in the queue. I have been working for the party and will continue to do so and fulfil all responsibilities given by the party.
Q/ Your turban is a topic of discussion. When will you take it off ? (He had promised to take it off only after defeating Nitish Kumar).
A/ When I go to Ayodhya, I will offer it at the feet of Lord Ram.