ET BureauVeteran BJP leader Ram Naik’s hyper-active tenure as UP governor has given the Samajwadi Party a hard time, forcing it to even issue a political resolution against him. In this interview with ET, Naik concurs with the RSS agenda for UP, analyses Maharashtra polls, calls Shiv Sena a natural ally of BJP, apart from explaining his strong interventions in state policy. Excerpts:
What is your reading of the Maharashtra results?
These were closely contested elections and everyone across party lines needs to be commended for getting elected. The change in Maharashtra is a continuation of the change witnessed during the Lok Sabha elections. The people wanted change.
What is prospect of BJP and Shiv Sena coming together?
As governor, I hold a constitutional post. So, I will desist from making political comments. Before taking up this position, I even resigned from BJP membership. Having said that, it is true that Sena is BJP’s natural ally and the leadership of the two parties should decide on how they wish to come together to form a government. It’s in the interest of Maharashtra that BJP, which emerged as the largest party, should form a stable government.
Having won 8 consecutive elections from Mumbai, what is your reaction to BJP becoming largest party in the city?
The city has made a proper political decision, as the state and country.
What do you have to say to allegations that you are aiding BJP in its campaign to unseat SP?
The governor is the representative of the President and in a way the central government. There is a practice that the governor needs to report to the President once a month about what’s happening in the state. So, it is my duty to bring to their attention about certain things in the state, as well as provide advice to the state government. The allegation is a frivolous one. I am only trying to help convert Uttar Pradesh into ‘Uttam Pradesh’. I refuse to comment upon SP’s political resolution against me since it is a political matter.
How do you explain your persistent criticism of the state government on law and order, stalling ordinance and raising corruption issues in public?
Law and order situation in UP needs improvement. That is true for other states too. But I have communicated this to CM Akhilesh Yadav and he has understood. I only sought clarifications about the proposed ordinance issued to give the chairperson of the state’s minority commission a cabinet rank. I asked what the urgency was, since ordinances are for emergencies. Also, why discriminate against the human rights commission and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission by denying them Cabinet rank? Even the chairperson of the National Minorities Commission has a ‘public servant’ status. Why should there be a special treatment here?
On corruption charges, I was merely following procedures mentioned in the Lokayukta Act. The Lokayukta had asked the CM to act on certain instances of corruption and when he did not, the 13 reports were sent to me. I asked the CM why no action was taken.
What is your response to criticism for hosting RSS chief Bhagwat?
I don’t believe in political or social untouchablility. Some parties believe in that. The Raj Bhavan is open to all. In the past three months, I have addressed 45 functions and met 1,750 persons in groups or individually within the premises.
What is your reading of the Maharashtra results?
These were closely contested elections and everyone across party lines needs to be commended for getting elected. The change in Maharashtra is a continuation of the change witnessed during the Lok Sabha elections. The people wanted change.
What is prospect of BJP and Shiv Sena coming together?
As governor, I hold a constitutional post. So, I will desist from making political comments. Before taking up this position, I even resigned from BJP membership. Having said that, it is true that Sena is BJP’s natural ally and the leadership of the two parties should decide on how they wish to come together to form a government. It’s in the interest of Maharashtra that BJP, which emerged as the largest party, should form a stable government.
Having won 8 consecutive elections from Mumbai, what is your reaction to BJP becoming largest party in the city?
The city has made a proper political decision, as the state and country.
What do you have to say to allegations that you are aiding BJP in its campaign to unseat SP?
The governor is the representative of the President and in a way the central government. There is a practice that the governor needs to report to the President once a month about what’s happening in the state. So, it is my duty to bring to their attention about certain things in the state, as well as provide advice to the state government. The allegation is a frivolous one. I am only trying to help convert Uttar Pradesh into ‘Uttam Pradesh’. I refuse to comment upon SP’s political resolution against me since it is a political matter.
How do you explain your persistent criticism of the state government on law and order, stalling ordinance and raising corruption issues in public?
Law and order situation in UP needs improvement. That is true for other states too. But I have communicated this to CM Akhilesh Yadav and he has understood. I only sought clarifications about the proposed ordinance issued to give the chairperson of the state’s minority commission a cabinet rank. I asked what the urgency was, since ordinances are for emergencies. Also, why discriminate against the human rights commission and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission by denying them Cabinet rank? Even the chairperson of the National Minorities Commission has a ‘public servant’ status. Why should there be a special treatment here?
On corruption charges, I was merely following procedures mentioned in the Lokayukta Act. The Lokayukta had asked the CM to act on certain instances of corruption and when he did not, the 13 reports were sent to me. I asked the CM why no action was taken.
What is your response to criticism for hosting RSS chief Bhagwat?
I don’t believe in political or social untouchablility. Some parties believe in that. The Raj Bhavan is open to all. In the past three months, I have addressed 45 functions and met 1,750 persons in groups or individually within the premises.
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