Ahead of the first phase of the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh on 10 February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi exuded confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would emerge victorious and form government not only in UP but the other states going to the polls too. The PM also made a scathing attack on “dynastic politics”, saying, “it is a big threat and biggest enemy of democracy” and severely compromises on the talent coming into a political party. The Prime Minister said that the BJP learns from every election and the polls for the party are “like an open university”.
In an exclusive interview with ANI, the Prime Minister elaborated on his “fake Samajwadi” jibe at Samajwadi Party in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh and said these parties were concerned about “parivarvad”. PM Modi said he had received a letter in the past stating that in Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh there were 45 people from the family who held various positions. The Prime Minister said the government was focusing on the welfare of the people and the BJP has a view that “government has no business to be in business”.
“If you listen to our economic principles since the days of Jan Sangh, we have faith in the people, on their capabilities and the government policies should give them opportunities. We are making such policies that they get the maximum opportunity. This is our view that government has no business to do business. How does it connect with socialism? This is against socialism,” he said.
The Prime Minister was answering a query about the economic philosophy of BJP and if the party had turned socialist in its views due to the large number of welfare programmes for the poor and other sections. “The government’s job is to care for the poor, to ensure food, toilets, houses, clean drinking water, roads for people. The government’s job is to care for the poor if they are sick. The job of the government is to see how the produce of small farmers reaches markets. My priority is to provide all this. If somebody calls it samajwad, it is acceptable to me,” he said.
The Prime Minister also referred to socialist leaders Ram Manhor Lohia and George Fernandes as well as Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
“I am for the society. When I say fake socialism, it is ‘parivarvad’. Do you see Lohia’s family anywhere, he was a socialist; do you see the family of George Fernandes, he was also a Samajwadi. Nitish Babu, he is working with us, he is also a socialist. Do you see his family?” he asked.
Taking a jibe at Samajwadi Party headed by Akhilesh Yadav, he said they laid a stress on their family. “Someone sent me a letter once that in Samajwadi Pary in Uttar Pradesh there were 45 people from the family who held some positions. Someone else told me all those of around 25 years in age got the opportunity to contest elections. This dynastic politics is a threat for democracy,” he said.
Answering a query about allegations against BJP that it also has dynastic leaders, the Prime Minister said there is a difference between one or two people from a family getting tickets and winning elections and all important political positions in a party going to a particular family in the party. He said in dynastic parties’ positions like the president, parliamentary board chief are held by a person and if the father is not there for some reason, the son replaces him.
Citing examples, the Prime Minister said that two political parties in Jammu and Kashmir practised dynastic politics for decades. He said dynastic politics prevailed in parties in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu. “The family runs the party, this is a big danger to democracy. The family-run parties are the biggest enemy of democracy as it negates the basic norms. Their goal is to save the family whether there is any benefit of the country” he said.
The Prime Minister said more talent entering public life is good for the country. “The biggest casualty in parties which save a family is talent. The democratisation of political parties is important. Dynastic politics stops youth from entering politics,” he said.
“When dynastic politics takes place, family is supreme, save the family whether the party is saved or not, whether the country is saved or not, when this happens, what is the first casualty? Howsoever the son, he will be the party chief, the biggest casualty then is talent,” he added. PM Modi said if a young person does not want to join the BJP, he does not have the option to go anywhere due to dynastic politics. “He (youth) feels he will be used for some time and then dumped. He feels that if I work for them I will go along and if I work for the country, I will not survive in politics. Youth are getting scared to enter public life,” he said. PM Modi said BJP is growing and the youth are joining it because it is functioning in a democratic manner.
Slamming Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his attack on the Central government for not issuing a clarification on issues like the India-China border dispute and rising unemployment in Parliament, PM Modi said that detailed answers were given by respective ministries and he had also spoken on some subjects whenever and wherever it was necessary. The PM targeted the former Congress chief and dubbed him as a “person who does not listen and does not sit in the House.” Stressing that he welcomes debate in Parliament, PM Modi said that he and his government do not attack anyone and believe in dialogue. “I don’t know the language to attack (someone) and it is not in my nature as well. But on the basis of logic and facts, the media might interpret my words in the House to stir some controversy.”
The Prime Minister was responding to a question on Congress allegations that during his speeches in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, he did not answer Rahul Gandhi’s questions on unemployment, the India-China issue and attacked the Congress party instead.
Elaborating further, the Prime Minister said, “We don’t attack anyone, instead we believe in holding dialogue. At times, there are debates (vaad-vivaad), interruptions (toka-taki) (in Parliament), I welcome this and that is why I don’t have any reason to be miffed (on these subjects).”
“I have given facts on every subject and spoken on every subject on the basis of facts. On some subjects, our external affairs ministry and defence ministry have given detailed answers and wherever it was necessary, I had also spoken. How do I reply to a person who does not listen, and does not sit in the House?” he added.
The PM also said: “I have seen in all states that there is the inclination towards the BJP and we will win the elections with a full majority. The people of all these five states will give BJP the opportunity to serve them.” Reiterating his party’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”, the Prime Minister said that whether it is election time or not, the BJP, despite the fact that it is in power or in coalition, strives for the welfare of the people.
“When we are in power, then with great energy and on a large scale we work with the mantra ‘Sabka Saath, Saabka Vikas’ (with everyone’s participation, we ensure the development of all),” the Prime Minister told ANI.
“Wherever BJP got the opportunity to work with stability, there the environment is of ‘pro-incumbency’ instead of ‘anti-incumbency’. The BJP always emerges victoriously with ‘pro-incumbency’ in elections,” the Prime Minister added.
On being asked on the Opposition claim that BJP does not understand regional aspirations, he said, “BJP is a party that believes in addressing regional aspirations for the development of the nation. I am the first Prime Minister in the country who has been a chief minister for a long time. I understand very well what are the aspirations and requirements of a state.”
Rejecting Opposition allegations of government misusing probe agencies, the PM said that elections keep taking place in the country and these agencies work according to their norms. The PM said corruption is adversely affecting the country and action by probe agencies in such cases adds to the national treasury for which the government should be lauded. He also said the government does not interfere in the working of probe agencies.
Hitting back at opposition parties who have in the past linked action by probe agencies with elections, he said these parties should agree for simultaneous polls and will then stop complaining. “Corruption in India is affecting the country like termites. Haven’t people raised their voices against such people from time to time? If I do not do anything, will the people forgive me? Wherever the government gets information (about corruption) should it not take steps? And after this, if billions and trillions of rupees are coming to the treasury of the country, then I should be praised,” the Prime Minister said.
“Also, elections keep taking place in India, so should the government stop working? Decide for once that there will be an election once in five years and everyone will contest it together. All the states and the Centre will go for elections at the same time and we will save money. Then, you will never see ED or CBI,” he added.
The PM said that he would not speak on the issue of his security breach in Punjab’s Ferozepur as it could impact the Supreme Court-mandated investigation. “I have maintained silence on the issue. The Supreme Court is looking into the matter seriously. Any statement that I make in this regard will impact the investigation, and it is not right.” Expressing trust in the judiciary, PM Modi said, “Whatever it is, the Supreme Court’s Committee will bring the truth before the nation. We should wait till then.”