Former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and current opposition leader Jai Ram Thakur said that people have faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guarantees. In a special interview with The Daily Guardian, he discussed all aspects related to Himachal Pradesh along with Rajasthan’s politics. Excerpts:
Q: You have a deep relationship with Jaipur. How do you feel coming to your in-laws’ place at this time? Since we are talking about politics, how do you see the politics of Rajasthan?
A: I have a deep relationship with Jaipur, known as the “Small Kashi.” Coming here is a pleasant experience. As far as politics is concerned, until a few years ago, Rajasthan was one of the states progressing rapidly among the states. However, many things happened during the 5-year tenure of Congress that tarnished the state’s reputation. There are many allegations of corruption against the government. When it comes to the Laal Diary, even CM Gehlot is not untouched by it. The name of his son Vaibhav Gehlot, and the names of several MLAs and bureaucrats are mentioned in that diary is also mentioned in the Laal Diary. Not only the state but the entire country is taking it seriously. The murder of Kanhaiya Lal took place in Udaipur. The big thing is that he had complained before the incident. Still, the government and the police took no action. Such incidents can give an idea of the deteriorating law and order situation. Therefore, now it is certain that there will be a clean-up of Congress from Rajasthan.
Q: There is disciplinary action against senior BJP leaders. Senior leader Kailash Meghwal has also been expelled from the party for making statements against Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. In this context, the question arises whether the new generation does not want to work with the old generation.
A: One thing is very clear, there is no exemption for anyone in the matter of discipline in the BJP. The speciality of our party is that the party is supreme here, no leader or individual. That is why today, the BJP is the largest party in the world. Whatever action the organisation decides should be taken. We discuss how senior leaders can guide and support the party. However, freshness is also necessary for the party. Our party is filled with youth. Here, there is also an opportunity for the youth to come forward. The party has decided to fight elections collectively. Indiscipline is not tolerated in our party.
Q: When Kailash Meghwal left the party, he said that he reached his point to the central leadership, but there was no hearing. BJP says that decisions in Congress are made by the Gandhi family, so is something similar happening in BJP that a select few can make decisions?
A: The BJP and Congress cannot be compared. Congress is a family-based party. There, two or three family members sit and make decisions that are imposed. Whereas in BJP, collective decisions are made and implemented. In the history of independent India, the strongest leadership for this country and the BJP has been found in the form of PM Modi. We are working continuously under the strong leadership of Amit Shah and J.P. Nadda. I don’t want to comment specifically on the expulsion of an individual. But if someone goes public in this way, the party will take action.
Q: There was a time when the BJP started contesting elections with the face of CM. But now, PM Modi, among other leaders, calls Lotus the face. Why is this happening?
A: I believe that different strategies are formulated for elections in each state. Many times decisions are made based on the circumstances in collective leadership. When the party feels that we should declare leadership, leadership is declared. When it is felt that leadership should not be declared, we contest elections under central leadership.
Q: The Rajasthan govt has launched several schemes for every section. In this situation, how can the BJP be so confident about its victory?
A: The schemes launched by Congress in the last 2-3 months were started with an eye on the elections. There are questions about the future of these schemes. Congress’s guarantees are not based on truth. They promised loan waivers for farmers, and Rahul Gandhi talked about waiving off loans in 10 days. But in 5 years, they couldn’t waive off farmers’ loans. Thousands of farmers’ land has turned barren. Many farmers have committed suicide. Congress has no answer to this. In Himachal, a year ago, during the elections, they guaranteed that they would fulfil promises. They would decide in the first cabinet meeting. But there, they didn’t fulfil any guarantee. People have no confidence in Congress’s guarantees.
Q: One thing you must have noticed is that until about 2-3 months ago, PM Modi used to use the word ‘promise’ in his speeches. But after CM Gehlot’s guarantee, he has started using the word ‘guarantee’. What is there in these guarantees?
A: There is a difference between Gehlot’s guarantee and Modi Ji’s guarantee. Modi Ji has shown that if he says something, he fulfils it. Therefore, people take Modi Ji’s guarantee seriously. Congress talks are just heard, but not believed. Today, the entire country trusts Modi Ji’s leadership in the matter of honesty.
Q: PM Modi is consistently coming to Rajasthan and actively participating in elections. He also attacks CM Gehlot. When the PM targets a CM, it seems that Gehlot’s stature has increased significantly to be targeted by the PM. Don’t you think so?
A: When there is an election anywhere, discussions happen on local issues, and it also happens on the CM. Here, Ashok Gehlot is the CM, so the PM will talk about him. When questions arise about the safety of mothers and daughters and Rajasthan’s ministers laughingly refer to Rajasthan as a state of men in the assembly, and even after that, they remain in the cabinet, then the PM will speak about it. All boundaries of corruption are crossed. In the case of 19 paper leaks, the future of 70 lakh youth here has been ruined. So, when the PM speaks on all these issues and topics, it is obvious that the person whose leadership the government is working under will be discussed. There is nothing like Gehlot’s stature increasing in this.
Q: You have done a lot of work in Himachal, yet BJP lost. What were the reasons behind it?
A: As far as changing the government in Himachal Pradesh is concerned, we came very close to victory there. Our government missed forming by only a margin of 36,000 votes. There might have been some shortcomings. We discuss all those issues at the party level. There is no factionalism or camps in Himachal. The party is very strong there. If elections were held in Himachal today, BJP would secure more than 50 seats. Congress campaigned by spreading lies, and that confused people a bit. But today, people have understood it.
Q: In the elections in Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje is being ignored. There are factions within the BJP. Do you think victory is possible in such a scenario?
A: See, no one is being ignored in the BJP. Collective leadership is promoted here. Vasundhara Raje has also been given responsibilities, and she is actively participating in the campaign. We are forming the government in Rajasthan under her leadership.
