'As big leaders from Congress joined BJP, tickets had to be given to them,' says Nishank

HARIDWAR: With rumblings of protest in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) getting louder in several constituencies across the state after declaration of the party's first list of candidates for the state assembly polls, efforts have been initiated to placate the angry leaders and party cadres. MP from Haridwar and former chief minister of Uttarakhand Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank was on such a mission to Haridwar on Wednesday when TOI talked to him about measures being taken to tackle the situation and whether it would adversely affect the party's poll prospects.Excerpts:
Q. Doesn't it augur badly for the BJP that the declaration of its first list of candidates has triggered protest against it on such a scale? There are reports of a number of BJP ticket aspirants openly revolting against the party decision. A few of them have even burnt the party flag and the effigy of its national president.
A. On the contrary, it is a good omen as it shows that the party is coming to power, so there is tremendous pressure on it for tickets. The discontent expressed is mainly against the party awarding tickets to those who left Congress and joined BJP in the last few months or recently. This may not have not gone down well with certain old and committed party leaders aspiring for ticket. But they are all of the BJP family and will understand the circumstances. In fact, certain big leaders came to BJP from Congress and tickets had to be given to them. Besides, tickets have been distributed on the basis of national and state level surveys conducted by BJP. Efforts are on to pacify the dissatisfied among our leaders and workers and the matter will hopefully be sorted out sooner than later.
Q. Your party claims to be a party with a difference mainly on two counts. It is a cadre-based disciplined organisation and it has a distinct political ideology. Is this claim not belied when it admit to its fold old Congressmen so indiscriminately ignoring its loyal leaders? They have come to BJP complaining that they were not given their due in Congress, not because they have faith in the BJP ideology. Will they not be ill-adjusted foreign elements in the party?
A. BJP is the largest political party in the world. So divergence to an extent has to be there. However, due to the party's nature, those who come to its fold will adapt themselves to its mould. That is because the party has a strong ideological basis.
Q. Why do you think BJP has an edge over Congress in Uttarakhand?
A. Obviously because the people see the BJP perform so well at the Centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There has not been a single charge of corruption against it so far. Also, the people can compare the present Congress government in the state with the erstwhile BJP government from 2007 to 2012. The Harish Rawat government, actually being run as a private limited company, has acted in utter violation of the Constitution as well as our social and moral values. Whether it is development, law and order, organisation of the Kumbh festival, or any other standard of administration, the present Congress government is no match to the earlier government under BJP. Crime against women, children and dalits has increased by 60% in the state which had reduced by 48% during the BJP rule.
Q. But weren't there several charges levelled against your own government regarding the Kumbh and certain land deals, etc.?
A. Oh, no. For the organisation of the Kumbh 2010, we received kudos in the country as well as abroad. In Uganda, I was honoured by the government for so successfully organising the fair, which attracted the largest number of people in the world at one place on a single day. The Kumbh was one of the nominees for the Nobel prize. Among the 100 people on the list, I was also there along with Mahatma Gandhi. As for other allegations, the courts and other fora proved that they were absolutely without any substance. Then, during the BJP government, the state was on the top from the industrial development point of view. For excellent economic management, the Planning Commission gave it Rs.1000 crore as prize for its development.
Q. Why are leaders of Congress in Uttarakhand deserting the party on such a scale?
A. Simply because they are disenchanted with the party. The Congress is a sinking ship. Besides, the leaders are most unhappy with the chief minister, his behaviour and style of functioning.
Q. For the state polls, neither any of the three former BJP chief ministers, nor Vijay Bahuguna has been given the party ticket. The only senior leader to get it is Satpal Maharaj. This to some is the party's very subtle way to pave the way for the future chief minister. Do you agree?
A. Why should the party give ticket to those who are its MPs, and that too without their asking for it? As for the party paving the way for the chief ministerial candidate, nothing would have stopped it from making him the party face in the elections, if a decision regarding him had been taken. The CM will be elected after the polls and whoever is given the responsibility will work to the best of his ability.
Q. How many seats in the state is BJP going to win this time? How many will come to its kitty from Haridwar distinct?
A. We will form the government in the state with a massive majority. In Haridwar district, we are confident of considerably improving our tally of five seats in 2012 polls. This is because the Muslims and dalits voted for me in 2014 parliamentary polls and will do the same this time as well. Dalits have developed faith in the BJP slogan, "Baba tera mission adhoora, Narendra Modi karenge poora.'