‘People taught our opponents a lesson’

As the BJP ended its political “vanvaas” in Uttar Pradesh and gained power in Uttarakhand, Union minister and senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi claimed that the Indian electorate has shunned the “expired formula” of “caste factor” dominating the electoral battle. In an interview to Yojna Gusai, the minister of state for minority affairs asserted that Narendra Modi’s popularity is on an upswing and people now elect political parties by judging their performance and not the caste card played by them. Excerpts:

Who will you give credit to for the BJP’s stupendous victory in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand?
Definitely to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who took up the task of garib kalyan as a revolution and made their empowerment a reality. He did what previous governments only promised. Each and every scheme of the Narendra Modi government is aimed at benefiting the poor and the deprived. Also, party president Amit Shah’s strategy and its implementation helped the party immensely. And, of course, the party’s lakhs and lakhs of cadres who worked tirelessly day and night to expand the party’s base and reach out to the people with its message and made sure that the party wins.

Of all the five states that went to the polls, your performance in UP has been outstanding. What do you have to say about it…
UP ki janta trusted us in 2014 (general elections) because they had faith in Mr Modi and the BJP. And this time, they brought us to power because they continue to have faith in him and wants UP to develop just like other BJP-ruled states. Even in Uttarakhand, people voted for us because the state and its people suffered under Congress rule.

But UP politics is said to be driven mainly by the caste factor…
The UP results have proved that people have voted for development and good governance. They kicked out this expired formula of caste and creed dominating elections. Desh ka mood change ho chuka hai (nation’s mood has been changed). Who does not want good roads or 24x7 power supply or jobs or better law and order situation? UP had deteriorated in the past almost 15 years, and its electorate rose above the caste factor to chose a government which they believe can provide all these facilities.

Though good governance and development were your main poll planks, the BJP’s opponents had claimed that its strategy was to go for communal polarisation and had even attacked Mr Modi for some of his remarks during campaigning. Questions were raised after the BJP failed to nominate any Muslim candidate in UP.
Those parties whose basic principle is appeasement and who limit their politics on communal and caste lines, they make such allegations. But the poll results have proved that people see the BJP as a party that does not play such politics. Our opponents can say whatever they want, but people know that our motto is “Sabka saath, sabka vikas”, and we have been working towards it. As I said, we do not believe in going by caste or creed, not even while fielding candidates.

Your opponents had criticised you over the notebandi issue. In fact, it was one of BSP supremo Mayawati’s main poll planks and had criticised the government for taking this “anti-poor” decision.
Our opponents are in the habit of criticising every decision that is taken by the Modi government. But the people have taught our opponents a lesson by supporting us. People know that this decision was taken to check corruption, but unfortunately, our opponents failed to realise till now. The poll results taught a lesson to the BSP supremo and is a message to the West Bengal chief minister (Mamata Banerjee) too. Those who criticised notebandi, logon ne unki naakabandi kar di (voters sealed their fate).

The BJP’s performance in Manipur is also impressive.
It’s the Modi government’s work and the party’s performance under Mr Shah that our acceptability and popularity has been on the rise. No matter what our opponents say or allege, the BJP is a party for all and getting accepted in all the regions of the country because of its performance. People trust us, and they have an unflinching faith in Mr Modi.