Rajya Sabha MP and BJP National Vice-President, in-charge of Jharkhand, Laxmikant Bajpai, Bajpayee, and his party colleagues are watching with interest the change of guard in the Chief Minister’s Office in Jharkhand – Champai Soren replacing Hemant Soren – even as the party prepares for pocketing all 14 Lok Sabha seat in the state. Excerpts of interview with The Daily Guardian:
Q. How do you see the mid-term change in Chief Minister in Jharkhand?
A. The abrupt change in chief minister is surely going to impact governance in the state, ultimately affecting the people. Also, the manner in which the entire episode is unfolding raises doubts if the new CM would be in control of governance or will be remote controlled by the outgoing CM.
Q. The MLAs of the ruling party and its allies were confined to a resort in Hyderabad amid allegations of attempted horse trading?
A. The actions of the ruling JMM and its allies itself show the perceived vulnerability of their grouping. The BJP is a principled party and does not indulge in unconstitutional actions. It is their own fear of the unknown that forced them to herd MLAs from one place to another. We as a party will continue to do what is needed within the framework of the Constitution for public welfare.
Q. How is the preparation for the Lok Sabha elections shaping up?
A. The party is gearing up to showcase “Modi ki guarantee” in the parliamentary elections and expose the misrule and corrupt actions of the JMM-led state government in Jharkhand. The party workers are enthused and the booth-level strategy of the BJP is sure to help us win all the 14 Lok Sabha seats as compared to the tally of 11 in 2019.
Q. Will corruption also be a key issue in the LS elections?
A. Undoubtedly, the ED action against the former chief minister Hemant Soren that forced him to resign itself a big issue.
The Modi government’s clean governance and welfare schemes for the four castes (GYAN) – Garib, Youth, Anadata and Nari – will be highlighted during the campaign along with the failure of the JMM-led state government to give a corruption free administration. We are prepared to go to people and seek votes in the name of development and good governance of the Modi government.
Q. Are there any poll alliances being planned by the BJP in Jharkhand?
A. There can be no understanding with parties like the JMM.
We will contest the Lok Sabha election just with our long standing NDA partner – Sudesh Mahto’s All Jharkhand Students Union.
