The leader of the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) and Member of Parliament from Nagaur, Hanuman Beniwal, spoke to ‘The Daily Guardian’ in an exclusive interview and gave insights about the party’s preparations for upcoming polls. He also accused Dr Kirori Lal Meena, a Rajya Sabha MP and the BJP candidate from Sawai Madhopur, of betraying the public. Here are some edited excerpts from the interview:
Q: Rajasthan is going to have elections on 25 November. What preparations has the RLP made? When will the list of candidates be announced?
A: The Rashtriya Loktantrik Party is fully prepared for the elections. We will announce the first list of candidates this week. The list will include the names of 15 to 20 candidates. We will give tickets to candidates who have a high chance of winning, focusing on women, youth, and farmers. Our candidates will not only contest but also secure victories, as people are actively participating. We formed the party just a month ago, and we have fielded candidates in 57 seats. The results were excellent.
Q: How many seats will the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party contest, and is there any talk of an alliance?
A: The RLP can form an alliance with other parties like BSP, BJP, etc. Discussions are underway regarding this. We will provide information on this soon. If an alliance is formed, seats will be contested based on seat-sharing. If there is no alliance, the RLP will field its candidates in all 200 state assembly seats in the state.
Q: Rajya Sabha MP Kirori Lal Meena accused the RLP in a press conference of being involved in the paper leak case. What is your response?
A: Dr Kirori Lal Meena, whom he is referring to, is not part of our party. Sparsha Choudhary was the Congress leader. She contested our party’s symbol in the last election, but now she is not with our party. We ended our association with her in April 2022. Dr. Kirori Lal Meena and I share a good friendship. He should not engage in such actions. Interestingly, Sher Singh Meena, who is involved in the paper leak case, is related to Dr. Kirori Lal Meena. Meena has deceived the people of Rajasthan by joining hands with the BJP. When democracy was suspended, I was with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and I openly fought for the farmers when they were in need. During this time, I broke the alliance with the NDA. I formed a new party and struggled.
Q: The BJP was in opposition in Rajasthan for five years. How do you view the opposition, especially since you were associated with the same NDA? Also, there has been a controversy with the BJP’s first candidate list. What do you have to say about that?
A: The BJP will experience internal conflicts. The party did not play any opposition role, from the legislature to the streets. The BJP leader did not bring up any issues. People are watching this. Congress is corrupt, but the BJP hasn’t done any work either. So, people are disappointed with both the BJP and Congress. The RLP will be controlled by the people. Voters will cast their votes, and along with the votes, they will also get the seats.
Q: You openly speak out against governments. Have you faced any consequences for this?
A: Speaking out has its consequences. My family was ruined at one point. In 2001, my family was jailed, and numerous cases were filed against us. We endured many hardships. I have experienced every difficulty. In Rajasthan’s history, the RLP is the first regional party. We have elected representatives from MLAs to the Panchayat level, which is strengthening the party.
Q: You have said multiple times that Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje are colluding. On what basis do you make these accusations?
A: Gehlot himself admitted that when the Congress government was conspiring to topple the BJP government, Vasundhara Raje saved my government. At that time, Vasundhara gave eight MLAs to support my government. This statement by Gehlot is proof that they are colluding. After that, you can see that Vasundhara Raje’s son Dushyant’s cases were suppressed during the Congress government’s rule. The BJP is avoiding investigation. If they aren’t colluding, why hasn’t anyone gone to jail?
Q: To contest elections, resources are needed. How will you gather these resources?
A: We lack resources. We don’t have funds. We have never accepted donations from anyone. People are now coming forward to help. You may have seen that parties have helicopters. I am travelling in an old car. When Home Minister Amit Shah checked the accounts of political parties, our account had no balance. He was astonished. I stay focused on the parties.
Q: When will the RLP release its manifesto? What are the main issues of the party?
A: The RLP is working on its manifesto. The major issues will be Toll-Free Rajasthan, free electricity, and the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP). ERCP is being discussed in politics now. Central Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat does not want the ERCP to be implemented, thinking that it would benefit the Congress. There are 13 districts in which the BJP has its MPs. I have raised this issue in the Lok Sabha dozens of times. I will include this issue in our manifesto.