Despite corruption and anti-incumbency factors in Uttarakhand against the BJP government, the saffron party is hopeful that it will retain power in the hill state. The party is heavily banking on chief minister B.C. Khanduri’s “clean image” to retain power. In the politically crucial Uttar Pradesh, where the party is often in news for infighting, the BJP is of the view that it is the “best alternative” to the electorate of the state. It is also hopeful that its number will significantly improve in UP. In an exclusive interview, former BJP chief and overall in-charge of the party’s Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls Rajnath Singh said that in Uttar Pradesh, people want a change and BJP is the “only option” for the state. Excerpts:

Q: What do you think would be the outcome of Uttarakhand polls. And what do you have to say about Uttar Pradesh?
A: In Uttarakhand we are definitely retaining power. In Uttar Pradesh, our numbers are increasing. People have realised (in UP) that only BJP is the best alternative which can provide good governance.

Q: You talk about good governance but your own government in Uttarakhand was under attack over serious corruption charges. And this was the reason why Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank was replaced with B.C. Khanduri.
A: This is not true. Mr Nishank had carried out many development works during his tenure in the state. We all know that the opposition had unnecessarily raised the issue. Have any charges against him (Nishank) been proved?

Q: But then why was Mr Nishank replaced?
A: The decision was taken collectively after consulting Mr Nishank.

Q: Why do you think BJP will improve its numbers in UP?
A: First of all, the UP electorate has seen the BSP rule and how the law and order situation in the state has deteriorated. Corruption is on its peak under the BSP rule. UP people still remember the misrule of SP and are witnessing the scams under Congress-led UPA at the Centre. BJP- ruled states are examples of good governance and this is what people of UP wants.

Q: But your government in Uttarakhand is battling against corruption charge and anti-cumbency factor. Why do you then think that people there wants BJP government to continue?
A: Let the result come. We are confident that the BJP will retain power in that state.

Q: There are reports that some of your senior leaders are reluctant to campaign for candidates have criminal antecedents.
A: These are all rumours. Our party has already declared that it will not protect any corrupt person. Party will take necessary action against any person against whom corruption or other charges are proved. All our senior leaders are campaigning in the poll-bound states.
Q: But your candidate from Mahoba assembly seat Badshah Singh, who is also former BSP leader, Badshah Singh is under the state Lokayukta radar for misusing his official position and committing several financial irregularities.
A: But nothing has been proved against him.

Q: What about your star campaigner and Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi who skipped Uttarakhand and Punjab polls and is reluctant to campaign in UP over some differences with the party top brass?
A: This is not true. I have myself spoken to him (Modi). He has certain prior commitments after which he will campaign in UP.

Q: Your party inducted scam-tainted former UP minister Babu Singh Kushwaha to woo OBC votes. He is an accused in the NRHM scam.
A: He (Kushwaha) has already asked his membership to be suspended till his name is not cleared. It will be wrong to say that his induction was aimed to woo OBC vote. They (OBCs) have been voting for the BJP as we have done a lot for the community and will continue to work for them.

Q: Does your state unit also consider Uma Bharti an “outsider” in the state as alleged by the opposition parties?
A: Just because she was born in Madhya Pradesh, she can’t be called an outsider. She has worked in the state as hard as any other BJP leader born in UP. It is wrong to call her an outsider. Calling her an outsider shows how desperate the opposition parties are ever since party decided to field her. She is a prominent leader of the party.

Q: But then some of your senior leaders in the state are unhappy that the party fielded her for the UP polls.
A: These are all rumours. No one is unhappy with this decision.

Q: Why did BJP chief Nitin Gadkari clarify that you are interested in national politics when he said that the party is contesting UP polls under the leadership of four important leaders — Kalraj Mishra, Surya Pratap Shahi, Uma Bharti and you?
A: I have already clarified this to the party chief. There are other senior leaders in the state.

Q: But with Ms Bharti’s name in this list of important people, speculations are rife that her loyalists are lobbying for the top post for her.
A: It will be collective decision and only then the party will announce its chief-ministerial candidate.

Q: After your son Pankaj was appointed as general secretary in the UP state unit, some leaders had resigned in protest. What do you have to say about this?
A: On this issue you will have to ask the party leadership as it was their decision. I was not involved in this issue.