As the political mercury shoots up in Assam before the first phase of the Assembly elections, The Sunday Guardian caught up with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on the campaign trail to decode their strategy to retain this important Northeastern state.
Q: What are the issues in Assam and why do you think the BJP will form the government again in the state?
A: The Government of India has already outdone the work that was done by the previous governments in 50 years in the Northeast region, particularly in Assam. The Assam state government under the leadership of CM Sarbananda Sonowal also did stupendous work and I am sure people in Assam will duly reward the BJP.
Q: CAA-NRC is one the most sensitive issues in Assam. In fact, we witnessed violent protests in this part of the country. Do you think this issue is going to be a crucial factor in the elections?
A: This issue is a national issue. Do you think it is going to be in the interest of the country to hand over voting rights to people who have entered our country illegally and can’t become citizens through the constitutional route? Parties which keep the national interest paramount would never oppose such a law. I think for the sake of vote bank politics and to make illegal foreigners into voters for themselves, the Congress party is resisting such a law. This might help them electorally but it is detrimental to the country’s interests.
Q: But Mr Gadkari, is this not a contradiction in the BJP’s approach, because in Assam, you are saying you will re-evaluate the CAA, but in West Bengal, your party is promising the same law on the very first day, if chosen to power?
A: I just have to say that we should politicise issues pertaining to national security. Every party has its own politics but politics must have ethical boundaries. All political parties must have uniform views on national issues and it is not in the favour of the country to encash such issues for votes. Elections or not, all must take a nationalistic stand on such topics.
Q: Also, this time the Congress has stitched an alliance with the Badruddin Ajmal-led AIUDF. Your previous ally BFF has also gone with the grand old party. Do you think the Mahajot or Mahagathbandhan is going to be a big challenge for you?
A: In electoral maths, 2 plus 2 is never 4. I am saying this because parties with palpable ideological differences come together to do selfish politics with the motive to only win elections. Let me recall for this, ‘jab bhi dil chaahe, nai duniya basa lete hai log, ek chehre par kai chehre laga lete hai log’. But trust me, the people of Assam are very intelligent and they won’t be misled.
Q: The BJP is attacking Badruddin Ajmal relentlessly, saying that a vote for him means a vote for Bangladeshi illegal immigrants. What’s your take on this?
A: See, this is correct. If there is any party which is insisting that illegal migrants be recognised as voters and eligible citizens then it is nothing short of an anti-national act.