Up Bjp Chief Says All Is Fair In Love And Politics
Q: People normally change their views when they participate in a mass movement. The BJP has not undertaken any mass movement that may lead to a change in the thinking of people. How do you expect that your vote percentage will increase?
A: The country is going through a transition phase and in this phase people want stability. They have started feeling that it is only Atal Behari Vajpayee and the BJP which can provide stability. There will be a change in voting pattern because people want a leader like Vajpayee who is wedded to value-based politics. His presence will lead to a change of about 4-6 per cent. People have themselves tested him on this yardstick and have found him up to the mark. He will lead the country into the 21st century.
Q: How many seats do you expect to win?
A: We think we may come into a majority on our own, but nevertheless we shall form the government with our allies .
Q: In your quest for winning, you have taken steps which violate the ethos you have been propagating. People inducted in your party include known dons, do you think they will devour you ultimately?
A: Mulayam Singh Yadav had relentlessly pursued the politics of terror and of imposing his influence. He had corroded the four pillars, viz, the executive, judiciary, legislature and the press. To meet this challenge we have had to take some steps, dictated by the prevailing political situation. But there is no danger that such elements would devour us. We shall never compromise on value-based politics. There is no harm in deviating from your own set norms, if you want to achieve a larger goal, and this constitutes Dharma. Take the case of Ram-Bali yudha. Ram had to kill Bali thorough a stratagem. Something similar is being done by the BJP.
Q: Who are the major forces backing you ?
A: BJP is a national party, spread far and wide in the country. We have support from all sections of the people, including Muslims. The latter are being increasingly attracted to the BJP. Other parties had scared Muslims about the consequences of BJP coming to power. But that is being removed gradually. Muslims also understand it.
Q: What attitude do you perceive voters have for your party?
A: We are going to win on the basis of a positive vote. All parties that got together to keep someone else out, and that may have succeeded, have never been able to provide an enduring government. The present UF government is an example, which cobbled together a coalition only to keep the BJP out and it met with an early death.
Q: Will you include the policy of non-Congressism as part of it?
A: Yes, and this has been practised for thirty years, from 1967 to 1997. The result was that we experienced three short-lived governments.
Q: Who are your main opponents in UP?
A: In UP, our battle is not with any one party. At some places, it is the SP and at others it is the BSP. There is no party which can match strength of the BJP.
Q: You have bogged Mulayam Singh in Sambhal by fielding D P Yadav? Now he cannot move about?
A: Neither the SP nor the BSP are in a position to help anybody. Their leaders are finding it increasingly difficult to defend their own seats. Mulayam Singh used to boast of Yadavs support, but Yadav leaders are with us Ashok Yadav, Darshan Singh Yadav, etc. The Dalits affection for the BSP has decreased. Even the poorest of the poor in our country do not like those who betray. Our government was not supported by the BSP even after the agreement. It is they who had violated the agreement and this has not gone down well with the masses.
Q: What kind of a result do you expect?
A: After this election, the SP will be halved and the BSP will be off and the Congress will be wiped out.
Q: How many seats do you expect in UP?
A: It should not be less than 60.