Majority in Jammu and Kashmir want Article 370 abolished: BJP's Meenakshi Lekhi
13 April 2014 1:49 AM GMT
"Modiji is the best example of the fact that even an ordinary worker can become the top leader in our party"
New Delhi: BJP national spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi, who shot into the limelight with her forceful defence of Narendra Modi, was rewarded and given the prestigious New Delhi constituency. The Supreme Court lawyer tells that her party will form a stable government and get the country out of its worst ever economic crisis.
Polling in your New Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, where you’ve taken on the Congress’ Ajay Maken, just finished. Honestly, what are the BJP’s prospects in the 16th LS polls?
If we had stable government after every five years, this would have been the 14th Lok Sabha elections. We’ve had Congress-controlled un-stable governments on two occasions. Now the country is going to vote for a stable government. We are definitely going to form the government.
How big a factor is Modi in these elections?
People have seen the performance of the Modi government in Gujarat. He is playing a major role in these elections. This is the first occasion that the entire nation is voting for the prime ministerial candidate.
Why do you think the Congress is not on a strong wicket?
Their prime minister was not a candidate of people’s choice. He was selected as our prime minister by a particular family. This defies all electoral norms.
And the BJP’s agenda for this Lok Sabha elections is?
To rid the country of the 60-year-long malgovernance of the Congress.
Your party is being accused of polarising voters. Your comment.
Just tell me who visited the camps of the riot-affected victims in Muzaffarnagar? Who gave scholarships to the members of a particular community? Who are the leaders roaming around with skull caps? After indulging in all such activities, they are blaming us.
But your party hasn’t given a single seat to any Muslim candidate in Uttar Pradesh
We do not give tickets on the basis of caste, colour or religion. Why don’t you ask why the Congress has not given any ticket to any Hindu in the Kashmir Valley?
There is a feeling that senior leaders like L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi have been sidelined in the party.
We always seek blessings and guidance of our seniors. Ours is a democratic party. Each and every worker is a stake holder. Modiji is the best example of the fact that even an ordinary worker can become the top leader in our party. Many argue that by projecting Modiji as our prime ministerial candidate, Advaniji has been sidelined. By the same logic, by putting Rahul Gandhi in the forefront, the Congress has sidelined its president, Sonia Gandhi.
What are the issues your government is going to take up on a priority basis?
We want to improve the overall security scenario in the country. We want to take the country out of its worst ever economic crisis. The value of rupee was equal to $1 in 1947. Now, $1 is valued at Rs 64. And a few months ago it was Rs 70. We want to take the country forward by improving the living standards of each citizen. The condition of the refugees who migrated from Pakistan in 1947 is pathetic. Just visit their camp near 7, Race Course Road and you will see their living conditions.
Rahul Gandhi takes time out to visit Kalavati in Uttar Pradesh. He should see the condition of the poor living in his backyard, in Tughlak Lane.
You are talking about your party improving the living standards of each citizen. If you win the election, what are you going to do for your New Delhi constituency?
Where there is fear, I will provide security. I will get slums replaced with low-cost houses, I will illuminate all dark spots. Where there is thirst, I will provide clean drinking water. And wherever there is poverty, I will provide employment. This is my “panchnama” for my constituency.
Your party says that it will hold referendum on the Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Why?
Article 370 has been a major hurdle in the growth of the people of the state. It is because of this article that a large number of benefits have not reached the weaker sections, SC/ST and women in the state. Once referendum is done on the basis of the residents of the state, including all stakeholders, you will know that a majority of the people want to abolish it.
What’s your take on the Aam Aadmi Party?
The AAP is here to serve the Congress agenda. They just want a weak Centre.
You will be surprised to know that the symbol of the AAP, which is yet to be registered as a regional party, had been put at number two spot on the voting machines. The Congress is aware that it has lost its votebank. That’s why it has propped up the AAP, so that the votes it is losing go to the newbie. Whether you vote for the BSP’s elephant, Samajwadi Party’s cycle or AAP’s broom, they are all being controlled by the Congress.
Many claim that you have copied the AAP’s mohalla sabha concept.
Arvind Kejriwal picked this concept from Gujarat. His is just a cut-paste job. Unfortunately, no one in the media has taken note of the good practices in the BJP-run states.
Mr Kejriwal has time and again accused Mr Modi of favouring a few businessmen. What do you say about that charge?
Why isn’t Mr Kejriwal talking about other industrialists who have got undue benefits from the Congress. The Congress has harmed the country’s economy both internally and externally. We had no business ties with China from 1962 to 1984. Just two months after Indira Gandhi’s assassination, our then Prime Minister had his first ever meeting with his Chinese counterpart in Thailand. And within two months of this meeting, China was given the most favoured nation status.
From 1985 to 2004, we had an annual trade of $2.5 billion with China. All policies were subverted to favour China in 2004. As a result, we have a trade deficit of $80 billion with China. This is the highest deficit between any two countries in the world. This is one of the many disservices that Congress has done to this country. But our “Nation First” policy will definitely take our country to new heights in the international arena.
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