Q On the functioning of the Narendra Modi government and people’s expectations
Wonders cannot happen in just 100 days. No government in any country will be able to build mansions within such a short period. Everything cannot be done or decided by the Centre. It is a three-tier system involving the Centre, the state and the local bodies. But we have provided governance that was lacking for the past 10 years. We provided a leader. Moreover, we have instilled confidence in the people. Now there is no talk of corruption. There is a sense of speed in the governance. We created a new work culture. The Prime Minister directly connects with people. Functioning of Parliament is also very good. The growth rate too has improved from 4-4.5 per cent to 5.7 per cent. We have improved the business climate. All systems and projects are back on track. We also had taken hard decisions like railway fare hike. People have supported us.
On the recent bypoll debacle
It is unfair to link the bypoll results to the image of Narendra Modi, who is running the most popular national government. The bypoll results will not have any bearing on the governance at the Centre. We will continue to work vigorously. There are different reasons and factors for the poor show... most of them are local. We never practise dynastic politics. All those MLAs, who had become MPs, resigned from their seats leading to the bypolls. All of them wanted their children to be the party candidates. As a policy, we said ‘No’. For that we paid a price. However, we will continue with our policies and programmes. Amit Shah also faced criticism. But critics should know that this was a collective effort. The party president presides and his team decides everything. We had all decided against giving tickets to children of the MPs. It was not Mr Shah’s individual decision. However, I am not undermining the bypoll results.
On why there was no dedicated minister for defence
The country had A.K. Antony as a dedicated minister for defence for 10 years. What happened? He did not clear several projects. Instead, he got embroiled in controversies. But we have cleared defence acquisition projects worth Rs 34,000 crore within just a month. It is not the person that decides everything. It is the system and administration one needs to focus on.
On strengthening the BJP in AP
We aim to fill up the political vacuum created by the Congress in AP. Whether the BJP will go it alone in the coming polls or continue the alliance with TD, will be decided at the time of the next Assembly elections. Till then, we will admit leaders from other parties on merit. We will only take those who have credibility and ability.
On rumours of Kiran Kumar Reddy joining BJP
I don’t know anything about this. If anyone wants to join the BJP, they must approach our AP state president Haribabu.
On special status to AP
Special status to AP was assured by the then outgoing Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in Rajya Sabha on my demand. We will accord the special status. But, there is a procedure to follow. The Cabinet has to meet and take a decision. Then the Planning Commission also must be roped in. The National Development Council needs to sit and approve it. The question is, ‘when?’. We are ruling the country, not a single state. It will take time, but I am telling you it will be done. At the same time, we will not discriminate against any particular state.
On Metro Rail
Unlike Metro projects in other cities, the Hyderabad Metro Rail Project is unique as it is based on a public-private-partnership model. The Centre will not interfere in the ongoing correspondence between the concessionaire L&T and the Telangana government. They must resolve the disputes themselves.
On new AP capital
While approving the bifurcation Bill, the then Central government should have announced the location of the new capital for AP. It had not done that. The AP government has now decided to locate it around Vijayawada. We will extend all co-operation. But let the Centre first get proposals from the AP government regarding what it wants. Then we can work things out.
On Central institutions in AP
The Centre will deliver on whatever has been promised to AP. We have appointed committees to find land for establishing several Central government establishments and projects. AP will get a new Railway Zone since it has four existing Railway Divisions in the area. We will receive the report by the end of October and will announce a new zone. Though I am not an elected representative from AP or TS, I am still a Telugu. I will do everything for these two states. What all can be given; will be given to AP and Telangana. But one thing is clear, the Central institutions and defence bodies that are in Hyderabad will not be relocated to Andhra Pradesh.
