COVER STORY

'There is a plot to discredit the BJP'

Interview with Rajnath Singh.

Rajnath Singh, president of the Uttar Pradesh unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party, brushes aside predictions that the party's tally in the State will come down in this election. In fact, he claims, the BJP and its allies will increase their strengt h and win at least the 60 seats it won in 1998. Venkitesh Ramakrishnan spoke to Rajnath Singh on the issues confronting the party in the elections. Excerpts:

There is a widespread impression that the BJP is losing ground in Uttar Pradesh.

We have heard this repeatedly in the last three elections, but each time the party has improved its vote share as well as the number of seats. The same will be true this time as well. In fact, I am sure we will improve our position in areas where we were weak earlier.

But many observers believe that the anti-incumbency mood directed against the State Government led by Kalyan Singh is the most important factor at play in the State.

Look, any government that faces elections will experience the anti-incumbency factor. But it would be wrong to surmise that the anti-incumbency factor against the State Government is the most important factor in U.P. In my view, the one question that dom inates the elections this time is: who should hold the Prime Minister's post - whether it should be in swadeshi hands or videshi hands? The question is agitating the people to a greater extent this time because this is the first election af ter India demonstrated its nuclear capability. A country that has the potential to produce atomic weapons cannot be ruled by people of foreign origin. It could have dangerous ramifications. The question is very sensitive and people realise its gravity. I n this context, there is only one choice before the people of U.P., and that is Atal Behari Vajpayee, his party and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by him. People have seen Vajpayeeji's track record of several decades and they have trust in it . The same cannot be said of his opponents.

Do you feel that the record of the Kalyan Singh Government will have no impact at all?

SUBIR ROY

I am not saying that. In any election, some questions related to the State government concerned do come up. But that is not the dominant issue. In any case, the present Lok Sabha elections cannot be treated as a referendum on the Kalyan Singh Government.

But many BJP MLAs feel that the State Government's record has jeopardised the party's chances to such an extent that it might end up with less than 40 seats. They feel that many internal problems, such as the deficiencies of governance as well as the dissident campaign against the Chief Minister, have not been addressed. There are reports that in many constituencies rival groups in the party are working to ensure the defeat of the party candidate belonging to the other group.

Ours is a democratic party which allows freedom of expression. MLAs have expressed their opinion about their concerns. That does not mean they are working against the party. All party workers and leaders are united in their endeavour to garner the maximu m number of seats in Uttar Pradesh and ensure that Vajpayeeji returns as Prime Minister.

It has been said that Chief Minister Kalyan Singh has not been campaigning too keenly for the party's candidates?

He has campaigned actively and extensively.

But he did not go to Aligarh, his home constituency, as also to important constituencies such as Kannauj, where Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav is contesting.

It is clear that there is a conspiracy to discredit the BJP by highlighting non-existent internal problems. No leader can reach every nook and corner of the State. In any case, the Chief Minister knows that the party is strong in his home constituency.

There are also reports that the revolt of former party MP Sakshi Maharaj and his campaign favouring the S.P. were inspired by the Chief Minister, who belongs to the same community as the former MP.

I cannot respond to rumours. In any case, the impact of the so-called revolt by Sakshi Maharaj is insignificant. It will have no negative effect on the party's prospects.