The Lok Janshakti Party parliamentary board chairman, Chiraj Paswan, is currently in the thick of the Bihar poll-politics. Excerpts from an interview with Santwana Bhattacharya:
Why do you speak against dynastic politics when you’re a product of it yourself and your LJP candidate list is full of your uncles and cousins?
I would not allow parivarbad, if I could have my way. As a product of the system, I know family connection alone cannot ensure victory in polls. People vote on the basis of political work. My uncle, Pasputi Kumar Paras, won many polls. On what basis would I deny him a ticket?
Still your brother-in-law, Sadhu, up in arms over ticket denial, says unlike your father, Ram Vilas Paswan, you’re no Dalit leader.
He’s right. I don’t see myself as a Dalit leader, nor do I want to do caste politics. I connect with the youth. In Mumbai, I’ve seen how my people who go there for jobs are bullied and humiliated. Why should this continue? For things to change, we’ve to aspire for change.
Why is the BJP playing on PM Modi’s OBC background, if caste is no longer a factor?
Caste is an issue in every state of India. No one can deny it, certainly not in Bihar. Our democratic representation is based on caste politics. But there are issues beyond caste. The young want better lives, clean cities, development.
How does your ‘progressive’ young voter react to statements like that of the Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, who wants girls to stay at home, no night-out for boys also?
I don’t agree myself (laughs). My party and I, personally, am deeply uncomfortable with these statements, including the one he made on APJ Abdul Kalam, “a nationalist, despite being Muslim”. We’re opposed to any move that seeks to impose ideas.
Did your father convey your views to the PM?
The PM has not said any of these, a saving grace. That’s why he connects with the youth so well. PM-saab listens to other view points. I stood to oppose the Land bill in the Lok Sabha, like some others, he later conceded. There’s always scope for give-and-take.
Then why were you so upset because you were only given 40 seats or because Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM walked away with your choicest seats?
The seat-sharing talks happened like Chinese whispers. The number of seats we were told during talks, did not match with what was announced. I couldn’t hide my disappointment. Later, Amit Shahji himself called me and explained to me for three hours. I understood their problem.