?Development will be BJP?s poll plank?

?BJP's main election plank in Madhya Pradesh will be development" (Kailash Vijayvargiya)

Q. Groupism in the once-disciplined BJP is taking its toll.

It has already delayed the announcement of candidates. How will it affect the BJP’s prospects to win the elections?

A. It is true that there has been some difference of opinion in the party over several issues among the leaders. But, it is quite natural to have difference of opinion in a democratic party like BJP where there is no place for personal interests. Actually, there has never been any ‘man binnatha’ in the party.

Q. Though the BJP has been repeated-ly saying that there will be no use of religious issues in the coming elections, there is apprehension among the public that the BJP might eventually rake the religious issue in the run up to the elections. What will be the main issues of the BJP?

A. The BJP has made it clear that it will contest the elections on the issue of development. Developmental issues like water and power will be the main issues in the elections. The BJP will highlight the failures of the 10-year rule of Digvijay Singh government. During its 10-year rule, the Congress has done ‘Banta daar’ of Madhya Pradesh. It has failed on fronts like education, health, and law and order. Only Congress party brokers have prospered during the last ten years.

Q. The BJP has long been blaming the Congress party for promoting dynastic rule in the country. In the just announced BJP list, several BJP leaders’ relatives find a place. How can it be justified?

A. They all found a place in the list pure-ly on merit. Whether it is the son of BJP state president Kailash Joshi, Laxmi Narain Pandey’s relative, Vikram Verma’s wife, they are all active workers of the party and are potential candidates from their respective constituencies. Moreover, it is natural that a politician’s son or daughter opts for becoming a politician. If there is no problem when a doctor’s son becomes a doctor, then why is there brouhaha over a son of a politician becoming a politician?

Q. There is a feeling among the public that the BJP is not able to announce the list of candidates due to factionalism in the party. Even after Congress party announcing its list, the BJP is still at the crossroads. How will it affect the image of the party?

A. In fact, there is no delay at all. The party had earlier announced that it would come out with its list on November 3 and 4 when the central election committee meets in Delhi. It was decided earlier. So, it is as per schedule.

Q. It is a hypothetical question. Will you leave the post of Mayor once you are elected an MLA and become a state minister?

A. It is not necessary to leave the Mayorship after becoming an MLA or a minister. I am not alone in that category. Raipur Mayor Tarun Chatterjee is also an MLA. But, in our party it is all decided by the party. I never think of myself. The party will decide what post I should hold.

Q. In Indore, where the BJP is ruling in the Municipal Corporation, will you high-light your achievements or expose the failures of Digvijay Singh Government during the election campaign?

A. We will do both. In fact, the city has seen tremendous development during the last three and a half years of BJP rule. If fact, in the history of Indore it is the first time such development has taken place in such a short span of time. Definitely, the BJP will highlight this during the elections.