Date:04/05/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/05/04/stories/2009050455451300.htm

Front Page

“BJP-RLD will emerge as a winning combination”

We will carry forward this combination and replace Mayawati’s BSP

AJIT SINGH

After entering into a strategic pre-poll alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Ajit Singh is eyeing big gains in his traditional stronghold of western Uttar Pradesh, which goes to polls in the final two phases. Exuding confidence that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance would come back to power at the Centre, Mr. Singh hopes that this pact would also help the new political formation emerge as a “suitable alternative” to Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party in the politically-significant state of Uttar Pradesh. He spoke to SANDEEP JOSHI.

Why did you decide to go with BJP?

Though both Mulayam Singh’s Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress wanted a pre-poll pact with the RLD, we decided to go with the BJP in western U.P. keeping in mind the significant presence of both the parties in the region. While the vote bank of the SP is declining here, the Congress is a party without any organisation and followers. The BJP-RLD alliance will emerge as a perfect winning combination in the region and also decide the fate of next Assembly elections in U.P.

How close will the contest be in U.P.?

In a majority of seats in the State it will be a direct fight between the BSP and its main rival — either the BJP-RLD combine or the SP, while in western U.P. (comprising 20-odd seats), we are in a straight contest with the BSP, barring a couple of seats, where the SP is our main rival.

This time U.P. will see exactly the opposite of what happened in the Assembly polls in 2007, when people voted for Mayawati to oust Mulayam Singh. This time round, people will vote against Mayawati. Overall, the scenario is very good for us. Our next goal is the U.P. Assembly election. We will carry forward this combination and replace Mayawati’s BSP.

What are the main issues in the election?

The main focus in U.P. this time is the misrule of Mayawati’s government. Corruption, poor law and order, neglect of farmers and the poor, and the lack of focus on development under Mayawati’s rule are the key issues for the electorate.

Two years ago, people of the State reposed their faith in Mayawati, but she has completely failed to address even the basic issues of the people. Mayawati’s undemocratic attitude has left the people of the State completely disenchanted. Her only focus has been construction of monuments and statues by misusing crores of public money, while the atrocities committed on people and large-scale extortion for her birthday bash has left people terrified.

What about national issues?

Terrorism, price rise, unemployment, black money in Swiss banks and corruption are some of the key issues. However, electorate is also taking seriously the issue of Manmohan Singh proving to be a weak Prime Minister and his unwillingness to contest the Lok Sabha polls.

Though Congress led the UPA for five years, the Prime Minister had no control either of his party colleagues or his allies. Manmohan Singh is a very nice human being, but he is afraid of contesting elections. In a parliamentary democracy, the Prime Minister should derive power from the people. The Congress has set a wrong precedent.

The Congress also worked towards dismantling of key institutions on which democracy thrives. For instance, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was demeaned.

What will be your stand if neither the UPA nor the NDA is able to form a government?

I am confident that the NDA will do well and form the next government. Today, the UPA stands fragmented and its allies are also in bad shape. In the post-poll scenario, the Left will not support the Congress, while Congress will not let any other front form the government due to their political compulsions in various States.

Finally, what about the formation of a Harit Pradesh by carving it out of western U.P.?

A consensus is gradually building in the country on reorganisation of big States. Harit Pradesh has never been an election issue. It is related to the development and progress of western U.P.

Mayawati, who has openly supported reorganization of U.P., has a majority in the State Assembly. Let us see what she does on this issue. Moreover, in their recent rallies in U.P., both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi spoke in favour of smaller States. The BJP also favours the concept of smaller states. I hope Harit Pradesh will be a reality soon.