Road Transport and Highways Minister C P Joshi tells Kavita Chowdhury the sector is facing problems as bidding is not being carried out for a large number of projects because of the economic slowdown
In 2008, you had lost the Rajasthan election by a single vote. Recently, the Rajasthan High Court cancelled the election and upheld your stand.
The high court decided in my favour and declared the election null and void. However, the other side has moved the Supreme Court, which would take a decision on December 10. As it is, I have not asked for a re-election; I have only asked for the cancellation of the 2008 election. Whatever the final verdict, after that, it is for the Election Commission to take a call.
You are involved in shortlisting candidates for the Gujarat polls. This time, what are the factors being considered while selecting candidates?
As chairman of the Congress’ screening committee for Gujarat, I’m quite busy trying to finalise candidates these days. But it’s too early to talk about it.
Since you took charge as Union minister in 2009, what has been your role in Rajasthan politics?
Now, I am a Union minister. So, I have my job cut out here. But I’m also part of the state Congress organisation. Currently, I am running my ministry, nothing else.
You had led the party to victory in Rajasthan in 2008. In the 2013 Assembly polls, what do you think your role would be?
I am content with whatever I am doing as a Union minister. It is for the high command to decide my fate. Whatever they decide, I will do. After all, there is a Congress government in the state and I am part of that.
Are you satisfied with the way the state unit is being run? You are known to be a critic of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
I want to make it clear and put it on record that Ashok Gehlot was my leader and he is my leader. Now, I want to play the role of a collaborator.
You had been given the additional charge of railways and had held the portfolio for exactly a month. Any regret on having to give it up?
No regrets at all. It is the prime minister and the party leadership’s prerogative to decide portfolios.
I was given charge as railway minister on September 22 and handled the ministry for just about a month. Though I was given additional charge, I didn’t wait for a month, or even a day, to start work. I didn’t know how long I had charge, but I started work on the first day. Why should I waste even a day? I met the railway board and now, it is for the board to comment on my performance.
As road transport and highways minister, what are the challenges before you?
Now, our goal is to deliver the target of 9,000 km of roads by 2012-13. But we are facing problems. For instance, because of the slowdown, bidding has not been carried out for a large number of projects. Also, there are problems associated with multi-sector functioning.
For the National Highways Authority of India, road building targets have been scaled down repeatedly.
The problem lies in the fact that the execution of these projects involves so many different ministries. State governments, too, have a part to play. The problem of clearing encroachments is also there. All this is impeding progress.
Do you aspire to be chief minister?
Currently, I am satisfied. I started as an ordinary worker and today, I am a Cabinet minister. How many people of, let’s say a billion people, become Cabinet ministers? I am satisfied. I had my innings in the university services, then as Rajasthan PCC (Pradesh Congress Committee) chief, and now as Cabinet minister. Nine chief ministers have been Cabinet ministers. So, that is not a big deal. Whenever I was given a task, I did it to the best of my ability. My aspiration is only to serve my party in the best manner.
You have been a strong organisational worker. Now that the AICC (All India Congress Committee) is slated for a reshuffle under Rahul Gandhi, what are the changes he might bring about in the party?
You have to first build the organisation. That is the function of the leader, and that’s what Rahul Gandhi is doing. Only when you have a strong organisation, would you get an opportunity to be in the government. Without winning elections, how can you form a government? In states such as Bihar, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, we need to build a strong party organisation. Rahul Gandhi started with the Youth Congress and the NSUI (National Students’ Union of India). He has brought about democratisation of these two units — he has demonstrated it is possible. That’s the way the party should work and function. It gives a ray of hope for the country.
Are you saying you want to see that kind of democratisation within the main Congress party?
I am only analysing. I am saying it gives a ray of hope for the country.
You are possibly the only Union minister who has an active website (cpjoshi.com). To see a minister accessible on Facebook, Twitter, email or audio is a refreshing change. What prompted this? Are you flooded with queries? Do you manage to take out time to answer these personally?
The idea behind the portal was to connect with the people, especially the youth of the country. Most youngsters are on the web and use social media. My portal allows me to connect with them. We get visitors on my portal and social media pages daily. I have a team that regularly brings these interactions across to me, and I give them my responses.
You have two master’s degrees — in physics and psychology — and a doctorate in psychology. You also have a liking for numbers and logic. Aren’t you over-qualified for politics?
No one is over-qualified for politics; every one is under-qualified. One’s schooling and learning are two different things. In politics, every day brings new learning. After I opted for politics, at the age of 29, I became a Member of Legislative Assembly. Then, when I joined university services, I thought I would serve as a professor till the age of 60. Today, I’m 62, and alongside my university career, I have a political career, too. I have done well in both. My learning has given me the mindset to analyse the political scenario.
