With last two phase of ensuing Lok Sabha elections over 27 seats of eastern UP left, BJP is pulling out all stops to meet its Mission 80 in Uttar Pradesh with the party’s top leadership resorting to vigorous campaign addressing multiple rallies across Purvanchal. Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya, based in Prayagraj for now, supervising party’s campaigning for the last two phases limited to 27 seats of eastern UP, takes time out to discuss his party’s performance so far and giving an insight into the prospects ahead while talking to Namita Bajpai
Q. With just two last phases of the ongoing elections left, where do you find your party and NDA, especially, in UP?
We are going on strong and getting people’s support according to our expectations. We have already crossed the majority mark of 300 for NDA. There is no question of any ‘if’ and ‘but’ in it. As far as UP is concerned, we are approaching our ‘Mission 80’. Two phases are yet to go.
In 2014, there was a Modi wave, in 2019, our performance was exemplary against SP-BSP alliance. Opposition has only hollow claims and we are getting enormous support from the people on the ground. With our well-oiled machinery at the booth level, strong organizational set up and immense public support, we are approaching to accomplish our target and set to come back with a landslide victory without any difficulty for the third time.
Q. BJP had suffered some reverses during the last two phases in 2019 losing around seven of the 27 seats unlike 2014 when the BJP had swept the last two phases. This time how do you evaluate your prospects?
A. In 2019, we were fighting the grand alliance of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party. This alliance has fallen apart this time. Now, the failed Congress-SP alliance of 2017, has re-surfaced. Their leaders, and the workers are extremely dispirited, demotivated as they are aware of their fate. Not much of a challenge is there for the BJP in the last two remaining phases. Our strike rate is going to be outstanding and we are set to win more seats in these two phases than 2019.
Q. It is believed that the opposition’s narrative over Constitution and reservation has made resonance with people on the ground. Your take?
A. INDI Alliance is a group of democracy slayers who believe in subverting the Constitution as per their will. They are trying hard to misguide the people claiming that the BJP intends to change Constitution. In fact, the country trusts only Modiji and he will not let any threat or danger be there either to the Constitution of India or the provisions of reservation for SC, ST and OBCs guaranteed therein. Moreover, in the ensuing election, the INDI alliance parties will be left in a position worse than what they were in 2014 and 2019 due to the lies and canards they are spreading.
Q. A resentment has been evident in some of the local units of the BJP over ticket distribution. Raebareli is one of them?
A. Let me make it clear that we are winning both Kannauj and Raebareli. In BJP, tickets are given after thorough discussions at the highest level taking various factors into account. It is set process and a collective and elaborate exercise.
Q. It is believed that Raja Bhaiyya is sulking and he is seemingly tilted towards SP, especially, in Kaushambi which went to poll in fifth phase. Will this element affect the prospects of the BJP candidate?
A. In 2014 and 2019 Raja Bhaiyya was not there with us. Even then we had won Kaushambi. This time also, we are winning without him. Lotus will bloom in Kaushambi yet again. Wait for the counting day.
Q. How do you see the prospects of BJP candidate in Prataparh, another Lok Sabha constituency having dominant Raja Bhaiyya factor?
A. Pratapgarh is a BJP stronghold and not of SP, BSP, Congress or any other political outfit or personality. BJP had won the seat both in 2014 and 2019 with its ally without any support from any party or any other influence.
Q. How do you perceive the recurring incidents of unruly crowd going out of control in Congress-SP rallies?
A. It is not a parameter of their support as is being claimed by them. They are a demoralized lot and their party workers are not even stepping out. Wherever, they are coming out, they are seen indulging in hooliganism and lawlessness. In the middle of elections, they are setting such an example. If this is their trailer, then what will be their picture like. Those are anarchist elements, they are not political people. Our sincere appeal to the people is to bid adieu to such elements forever from the political landscape of UP.
Q. Arvind Kejriwal is claiming that UP CM Yogi Adityanath will be removed by BJP top brass after the elections? Your take.
A. Arvind Kejriwal is not able to keep his house in order. He is getting his own MPs thrashed in the confines of his home. Who is he to make a comment on BJP’s strategy. He is neither a BJP chief nor a BJP MP. In the country, Narendra Modi ji is the PM and in UP, Yogiji is the CM. Yogiji is the CM and will continue to be there. Kejriwal has no moral right to talk about it. I wonder, why Kejriwalji is so concerned about the BJP. It is nothing but an unsuccessful ploy of Kejriwal to drive a wedge in the BJP.
He should try to save his party from getting disintegrated and destroyed. He can’t be saved from going to jail. Moreover, his party is headed to the gloom.
Q. Do you think the recent paper leak incidents have an impact on election in UP?
A. This is a cause of concern for us also but let me make it clear that the troika of Congress, SP and BSP had not left even a single sector where thy had not reared mafia during their respective regimes. They had nurtured a gang of paper leak mafia. We have demolished that network. We are worried about the future of our youth. All such irregularities in recruitment and paper leaks started during SP and BSP rule. We will not tolerate it at any cost. All the accused of the recent paper leak incident have been arrested and the strictest action, which will prove to be a deterrent, is underway against them.