At present, the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Rajasthan, CP Joshi, is in Delhi, where a series of discussions are underway regarding the upcoming Rajasthan elections. In an exclusive interview with India News, he mentioned that the preparations for the allocation of election tickets have been effectively completed. The first list will be released after the parliamentary board meeting. On this occasion, he also targeted Congress and talked about the formation of a BJP government with the change of power in the upcoming assembly elections. Here’s what CP Joshi said in this exclusive interview:
Q: Congress is currently conducting meetings to discuss candidate selection, and it is expected that the initial list of candidates will be made public by the end of this month. What preparations has the BJP made for distributing tickets?
A: Firstly, I’d like to extend my congratulations to India News, The Daily Guardian, and The Sunday Guardian for their publications in Rajasthan. Regarding the distribution of tickets, we have already completed all the necessary preparations, including fieldwork. Once the Parliamentary Board calls us for a meeting, we will finalise the list of candidates. After that, we will release the initial list of candidates. However, at the moment, our primary focus is on the Parivartan Sankalp Yatras (Change Resolution Journeys).
Q: With the assembly elections approaching rapidly, the Congress government is actively introducing numerous schemes. What is the future of the BJP in Rajasthan?
A: The people of Rajasthan are closely observing the current situation. This government made certain promises when it came into power, but these promises remain unfulfilled. Today, the youth are troubled by issues like paper leaks and high unemployment rates, while inflation is soaring in Rajasthan. The government is highlighting the schemes of the central government as its own. The people of Rajasthan have decided that the BJP will form the government with a resounding majority in the upcoming elections.
Q: The Congress party is claiming that it will make ERCP a prominent election topic. If the Congress succeeds in doing so, how challenging will it be for the BJP?
A: The BJP-led central government has been positive about ERCP. Meanwhile, the state government is using this issue for political purposes. However, the people of Rajasthan have understood these things, so it won’t affect the BJP. The public has firmly decided on a change.
Q: Congress constantly says that the BJP has no face in Rajasthan. Therefore, Prime Minister Modi and other central ministers and leaders are repeatedly visiting Rajasthan. What do you say about this?
A: Look, as far as central leaders are concerned, we have strong leadership that guides us. Today, Congress is nervous and afraid of defeat. The Congress government has failed on development issues. Talking about the face, every party worker is the face of the party. Who will become the chief minister will be decided by our parliamentary board.
Q: It is being discussed that former MP Jyoti Mirdha, the granddaughter of prominent Jat leader Nathuram Mirdha, has joined the BJP and may contest as an MP from Nagaur. Is this true?
A: Jyoti Mirdha has expressed her faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies. That’s why she left Congress and joined the BJP. As for elections, there hasn’t been any discussion about this yet. However, it is certain that her joining will make the BJP even stronger. This time, we will win more seats in Western Rajasthan, including Nagaur.
Q: PCC Chief Govind Dotasra has stated that Jyoti Mirdha has joined the BJP under pressure. What do you say about this?
A: See, Jyoti Mirdha herself has told the media that she was feeling suffocated in the Congress party. That’s why she joined the BJP. There was no pressure on her. Govind Dotasra should consider how the BJP could exert pressure on Jyoti Mirdha. She joined the BJP willingly because she believes in the party’s leadership.
Q: Before today, the joining programmes took place at the state BJP office. This time, it happened in Delhi. Why is that?
A: It happened like this because important meetings of ours are taking place in Delhi. All senior leaders are in Delhi these days. Jyoti Mirdha wanted to join the party, and she was in Delhi at that time. That’s why we decided to enrol her as a party member in Delhi.
Q: Rajasthan government minister Govind Meghwal has said that L.K. Advani’s condition is like that of a widow aunt in the BJP. What do you have to say about this, and is it true that the party has sidelined Advani?
A: When we talk about Govind Meghwal, he has been giving these kinds of statements. He should first take care of himself and then make any statements. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is a party that works with senior leaders. We work under their guidance, and the party has reached its current status based on their guidance. Whether it’s Lal Krishna Advani or other senior leaders, they are all mentors for us, and the party works under their guidance, benefiting from their experience from time to time.
Q: Now, Chief Minister Gehlot and former Deputy Chief Minister Pilot are also seen together, praising each other. Pilot is also claiming that the government is repeating. Is the coming together of both leaders a challenge for the BJP?
A: Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot are both part of the Congress party. What they do together is their business. It doesn’t concern us. It’s not a challenge for the BJP. Look, in the Congress, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot himself has stated that he funds the party. He is running the Congress party across the country. He has made such statements. So, whether it’s Gehlot or Pilot, it’s not a challenge for us. The reason is clear that the people have already made up their minds this time. Change is certain in Rajasthan, and the BJP is set to form the government.
