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No question of alliance with any party for 2017 polls: Mulayam Singh Yadav
In 2012, when it swept to power under Akhilesh Yadav, many believed the Samajwadi Party had made a generational shift. But throughout his four years in office, the chief minister has had to battle the perception that his uncles are running the government. Ironically, as the SP gears up to face the electorate once again, Akhilesh faces the same ‘goonda raj’ charge that his father was accused of during the 2007 polls.
In 2012, when it swept to power under Akhilesh Yadav, many believed the Samajwadi Party had made a generational shift. But throughout his four years in office, the chief minister has had to battle the perception that his uncles are running the government. Ironically, as the SP gears up to face the electorate once again, Akhilesh faces the same ‘goonda raj’ charge that his father was accused of during the 2007 polls.
In a candid interview to Senior Resident Editor Sunita Aron, SP national president Mulayam Singh Yadav spoke on a range of issues. Excerpts from the Interview:
Q: The Mathura mayhem has tarnished your government’s image. You said you will expose the real culprits one day. Who are they?
A: You should find out the states from where the Naxalites (Maoists) came, and the political party in power there. They came from BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. Shouldn’t someone ask the BJP leadership as to why all of them came to Mathura? Investigations are on and the truth will be out.
Q: But it was your government that allowed them to stay on. The BJP says it was done under pressure of Shivpal Yadav, your younger brother and minister in Akhilesh government?
A: Shivpal didn’t know Ram Vriksh Yadav (leader of the squatters at Jawahar Bagh in Mathura). He had no connection with him and never met him. What has happened in Mathura is unfortunate. I am pained.
Q: Ram Vriksh Yadav was Baba Gurudev’s follower and Shivpal knew Gurudev?
A: Gurudev had his followers all over the country. Shivpal had good relations with Baba Gurudev, who had also invited him to his village. He had thrown out Ram Vriksha as he never allowed any criminal near him. Ram Vriksh was a goonda. He wanted to grab the land but the government thwarted his nefarious designs.
Q: While BSP chief Mayawati says she will send senior SP leaders involved in corruption and land-grabbing to jail, BJP has lodged an app to collect and redress such cases.
A: Akhilesh has a file containing land cases against BSP leaders. While the BJP heads the government at the Centre, the home minister is from UP. The BJP can send us details of land-grabbing cases against SP leaders for action, instead of making false allegations.
Q: So all this is poll stunt? Who will be your main competitor in the poll arena?
A: Though Rahul and Priyanka are active, Congress remains irrelevant in UP. BSP is weak. So the main contest will be with the BJP as the party is in power at the Centre, has its Prime Minister also.
Q: It is being said the SP and BJP have a pact...
A: There is no question of such a thing. Yes, before 1990 when Jan Sangh and Lok Dal came together, they had declared me their leader. But after 1990s we have been anti-Congress and anti-BJP. I don’t need a certificate to prove my credentials.
Q: So, there is no question of an alliance with the Congress or any other party?
A: No, not at all. The parliamentary board has taken a decision against any poll pact. I walked out of the Grand Alliance only after Nitish Kumar had roped in the Congress. The seven-party front was raised as an anti-Congress and anti-BJP front. How can SP be a part of any front of which the Congress is a member.
Q: That means there will be no Third Front before 2019 general elections?
A: That’s far off. As of now BJP’s graph is on the decline. There is no leadership other than Sonia Gandhi in Congress. But as of now I am concentrating on UP elections and we are going to win the state again on the development works done by us.
Q: The JD(U) is also campaigning in the state? Will it damage the SP’s prospects?
A: Beni Prasad Verma has more Kurmi followers than Nitish Kumar.
Q: What about the RLD?
A: Ajit Singh supported our candidates in Rajya Sabha elections. But there was no discussion about electoral alliance.
Q: What if BJP and Congress declared their CM faces?
A: It’s their internal matter, we are hearing several names. It won’t impact our prospects.
Q: But people are upset with the law and order situation...
A: Yes, there were problems at the thana and tehsil level. The government is taking steps to improve that.
Q: Why have you rewarded your foes-turned-friends with Rajya Sabha seats?
A: Ram Manohar Lohia used to say no one has all the qualities. Pick up the best in a person and move ahead. Is there a bigger backward leader than Beni? Amar Singh has his own qualities and usefulness for the party. They have contributed in the past and will contribute in the future too.
Q: Do Brahmins have the veto power in the 2017 polls?
A: No caste votes uniformly across the state. Brahmins have supported us in the past and will support us in the future too.
