G Kishan Reddy, who has been re-appointed state BJP for a second term, speaks to Express on his priorities, why the party chose him to continue in the same post, the general election next year, and several other issues.
Here are excerpts:
Q Has your party high command decided to continue as state BJP chief after consulting other leaders?
A I don’t know.
Q Why has the party given up organisational elections and adopted nominations?
A I don’t know. The party’s state office received a communication from the central office just a day in advance of my re-appointment. Maybe, the party predicts snap polls and wants to retain state unit presidents.
Q Why has the BJP, which stands for division of the state, ignored the demand for a separate party unit for Telangana?
A Please direct the question to the party’s national president. I don’t know about the Telangana unit issue which is only a technical matter. The resolution in favour of smaller states was passed at the Kakinada meeting in 1996 and approved in 2006.
Q What are your priority programmes now?
A Gearing up the party cadre for the 2014 elections.
Q Do you think the atmosphere in the state is favourable to BJP?
A Yes. If the national committee announces the prime ministerial candidate now, it will help us further. According to some surveys, 57 percent of the youth in Seemandhra will vote for BJP. After March several leaders and activists from other parties will join the BJP. The situation will change dramatically after the announcement of elections dates, political situation in the state would change totally.
Q Is Telangana a delicate issue for BJP in Hyderabad and Seemandhra?
A Not at all. The BJP will face the coming elections with national agenda. Telangana will be just one of the planks.
Q How do you view the demand for making Hyderabad the country’s second capital?
A We don’t react to individuals’ demands.
Q Will you go in for poll alliances?
A No. It will go it alone in all the 42 Lok Sabha and 294 Assembly constituencies.
Q But your party failed to do well in the 2004 and 2009 general elections, and even in the GHMC elections.
A You are taking about the past.
Q BJP is part of TJAC. Can it go it alone in elections?
A TJAC is not a political organisation but only Udyama Vedika. People will vote decisively for one political party which will be able to create Telangana state. With the Congress losing people’s trust, BJP is the only alternative. We will not be dependent on TJAC for our political decisions