THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After his whirlwind 17-day tour across the state campaigning for 59 UDF candidates, Congress' star campaigner Shashi Tharoor is confident that UDF will get a comfortable majority. In a chat with TNIE, the senior leader says the UDF has been gathering momentum in the last lap.
You have campaigned for UDF across the state; How do you assess the front’s prospects?
We perceive a good trend in our favour. There's receptivity towards the message that the LDF misruled over the last ten years and that they don't deserve a third chance. Recently the Niti Ayog report came out, ranking 18 major states for fiscal management, and Kerala was ranked 15th. Huge embarrassment. At the broader level, the public understands that it's time for a change.
The Left is confident that voters will factor in developmental projects like the Vizhinjam port...
We brought in the Vizhinjam port. I played a major role, and know every minute detail. The project was opposed till the last minute by CPM. They accused the Oommen Chandy government of having conducted a scam in bringing in this port. Most other projects like NH, GAIL are central projects. Where's the state budget for all these projects? They have been woefully lacking because of fiscal mismanagement.
There's an impression that UDF has been focusing on minority consolidation to squeeze through...
That's a very unfair analysis. We want people vote for us based on issues. The Muslim community feels that our credentials are very solid. But it's also true that the LDF has been anti communalism. So that alone may not get us seats or votes. There's also the fact that the Muslim League is our ally; they are very strong in Malabar; and I wouldn't be surprised if they win 24-25 of them. It's electoral mathematics. It's not a question of community consolidation. Generally the Muslim community has very little to complain about UDF, which is very much supportive of minority rights. The Christian community has nothing to complain about UDF either, because we have stood by them. In the issue of FCRA, UDF was the first to raise its voice over the injustice, and took it up in Parliament. Not that we are a party of minorities; We are a party for all.
The KPCC president revealed the funds collected for the Wayanad project. It has become a major embarrassment for the party.
Don't forget that we are in the Opposition. The job of doing this kind of work is essentially that of the ruling party which has access to central funds, access to CM's relief funds, PM disaster relief funds. An opposition party can only do a small portion; why should that be a surprise to anyone? Anything an opposition party does is an act of charity. In any case, I'm the wrong person to ask for details as I sit in Delhi as an MP, and have no role to play.
It seems this time the state is in for a three-cornered fight…
Not exactly. I would agree that there are a limited number of constituencies where BJP is a factor. This is a zero-seat party in assembly. Even if they go from zero to 1-2-3, is that going to actually change the composition of the government? We have to realize that this is still a straight fight between the LDF and UDF. The BJP during my time in Kerala politics, has gone from being a 6% party in assembly to being a 12% party. Everyone knows that they can't be part of the state government. The voters know that it's between the LDF and UDF.
Can you downplay BJP's growth even after the corporation win?
Thiruvananthapuram has been a growth area for them. They have been growing strongly in the city. Nemom has been a stronghold of the BJP. They are a significant factor in Nemom; so as in Kazhakkoottam. What I heard is it's not going to be a three-cornered fight in Vattiyoorkavu. It's a fight between LDF and UDF there. In Thiruvananthapuram central they are not even a factor. So the four city constituencies where they have the city corporation, they are a factor only in two. The real race is between LDF and UDF. Every time the BP tries to do some sort of outreach in Kerala, there will be some action taken by party elsewhere in India, like the actions against the nuns. It looks as if somebody within the BJP is busy undermining the BJP in Kerala.
What could be the number of seats for BJP in this election?
Zero to three is my reading. That too on the basis of what the media and pollsters are saying. I haven't personally seen enough to believe they are going to win even a single seat.
CPM alleges that Congress has been acting like BJP's B team.
Five CPM leaders are now contesting elections for UDF. Who's the B or C team then?
One charge against UDF is that it has many CM candidates compared to LDF. There's a perception of a lack of unity.
UDF has demonstrated unity remarkably. Everyone knows that there was some discontent about some of the specific decisions regarding tickets. And yet have you seen the way in which the party has held itself together? No one is dissenting. No one is making hostile statements. No serious rebel candidates. Look at CPM. Five of their ex candidates are contesting on our side. I don't think you can say that UDF is an example of disunity in this election. UDF has demonstrated tremendous amount of commitment to winning this election. There has been a remarkable degree of solidarity.
Incidentally your name too figured among possible CM candidates.
(Smiles). I'm an MP. I'm not going to be... Everybody will be interested in an opportunity to serve. When I came to politics, I was relatively new to everything. but I have been a quick learner. I've got some insights and I hope I can contribute. My ideas are at the party's disposal.
Union government has made it clear that there need not be any concerns over FCRA.
Basically the beneficiaries of FCRA are essentially minority bodies and it's essentially for social welfare purposes. How many Hindus and non-Christians have benefitted from Christian schools, hospitals and orphanages? It seems to me that it's blatantly targetting minorities and minority-run institutions.
What's your projection for UDF this time?
I'm reasonably confident that we will do well. It will be a more comfortable majority than what we got in 2011. The leaders said 85-100. It remains an aspirational target. Even if we don't come close, it won't matter; I certainly hope we will do better than 71-72, simply because we need that buffer to function well.