BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi tells Mukesh Ranjan that the ‘hullabaloo’ over the so-called ‘porngate’ in Karnataka could be a ‘conspiracy to malign’ his party. In this interview with Mukesh Ranjan, he also notes that ‘a mountain was made out of a molehill’ in the corruption cases against former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa.
* When the BJP came to power in Karnataka for the first time after the last Assembly election, its thinking was that the state would act as a gateway to South India for the saffron camp. But since then events haven’t gone in the BJP’s favour and some now think that the state has turned out to be a liability rather than an asset. What do you say?
Yes, it is true that with Karnataka under our belt it was felt it would be easy for us to expand in the southern states. We thought our rule in Karnataka would pave the way for us in peninsular India. Sensing this, our adversaries started putting up speedbreakers in our way. Neverthless, we could have proceeded towards our goal, but suddenly we started scoring self goals.
As far as corruption issues regarding former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa are concerned, I think a mountain was made out of a molehill. We faltered in dealing with the situation. At a time when the Congress is involved in corruption, crime and other malpractices, we have to fight vigorously. Even a small mistake on our part gives them an opportunity to magnify it in order to hide their own misdeeds. Therefore, we should avoid such mistakes.
* The recent pornography incident in the Karnataka Assembly has embarrassed the party no end. Don’t you think such incidents puncture the party’s high moral stand on various issues as also its campaign against the Congress at the Centre?
Despite all the hullabaloo over the issue, I feel that there could be some conspiracy to malign the BJP and its government. The truth can be found out only through an inquiry. We should wait for this before jumping to conclusions. However, we believe that the conduct of ministers and legislators, both inside and outside the legislature, should never be unparliamentary or indecent.
* What impact do you think the “porngate” controversy will have on the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election?
It will not have any impact at all. I think it will hog the news space for a while, but there are no implications, even remotely, as far as the UP polls go.
How do you react to the Congress’ attack that the BJP is a “one-roof supermarket”, where “corruption, misgovernance and pornography” are on display?
This is a misplaced analogy. Instead of the BJP, it is the Congress which is not only structured, but also functions like the subsidiary of an MNC with a chairman (party president) and a CEO (the PM). The Congress is working like an agent of its parent company, whose representatives are always heard saying that India’s salvation lies with MNCs. In most of their meetings we watch how they sell “Mungeri Lal ke haseen sapne” or pipe dreams.
Finding it difficult to defend the charge of corruption in the Uttar Pradesh elections, they have been skirting the issue by raking up communalism and casteism. They are projecting Sam Pitroda as a carpenter by caste. But in UP no one knows who Sam is. The time is not far when they will make a George a “Gangwar” or a Lawrence a “Lodh” in order to make an impression.
As a champion of scams, the Congress is taking its expertise to new frontiers by indulging in a scam of castes. In our meetings in UP, we are asking the people if they know of any carpenter named Sam; their answer is “no”. However, Mr Sam has become an OBC icon for the Congress.
* Against the backdrop of the allegation levelled by former Karnataka advocate-general B.V. Acharya of “pressure tactics” used to force him to resign, your adversaries say that the BJP is in the habit of subverting institutions. In this case, it is widely felt that the advocate-general was made to quit in order to placate Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa, whom the BJP is said to be wooing as a partner, as the advocate-general was conducting the prosecution seriously. What do you think?
No, I feel the allegations are misplaced. There is no truth in the allegation. The matter should be looked into and If mala fides is established, action can be taken. The Congress is a sinking ship. After the UP polls many will leave UPA.
* After a turf war with Yeddyurappa, Karnataka governor H.R. Bhardwaj has once again hit the BJP government by rejecting its proposal on the appointment of a Lokayukta. How do you view this?
This country is run on the basis of the Constitution and its foundation is federalism. The UPA’s first attack was on the governors appointed by the NDA government. The Raj Bhavans in Gujarat, Karnataka, MP, and Chhattisgarh have been converted into Congress offices. In these states the Congress is finished. So, it tries to capture power indirectly through the governors.