Ram Kripal Yadav, the RJD candidate from the Patna parliamentary constituency, says why people should cast their vote in his favour. He tells Nilanshu Ranjan that his archrival CP Thakur, the outgoing MP, failed to fulfil his promises made to the people. Excerpts:
Heard Subhash Yadav was a strong claimant for Patna seat. How did you manage to wrestle it from him?
This is absolutely wrong. The candidature of Subhash Yadav for Patna seat was never in consideration nor was he ever in race. Someone probably spread the news for vested interest. From the very beginning, I was the claimant and so I got the ticket.
What are your poll issues?
My main issue will be to expose the central government, which has failed on all fronts. The central government had vowed to fight against bhay, bhookh aur bhrashtachar (fear, hunger and corruption), but did nothing. It is in fact neck deep in corruption. Prices of everything have skyrocketed. The inflation has affected the development of the society and people are fed-up with the NDA government. Unemployment is other major problem affecting the people. NDA government has fanned communalism too.
Apart from that, sitting MP C P Thakur did not fulfil any of his promises made to the people. Besides, he is quite inaccessible. He is not at all people’s politician. Anger is simmering against him.
The 13-year long rule of Laloo-Rabri in Bihar has also achieved nothing. People have not been provided with basic amenities like bijli, pani, sadak besides, crime rate has gone very high. Patna is said to be the crime capital. So, why should people vote for you?
First of all, this is a Lok Sabha election. You are talking about local issues, not central. So far as development is concerned, the state government cannot be blamed for it. Yes, after the bifurcation of Bihar, instabilities have definitely crept in certain areas, which have plagued development.
You cannot however, say that the government is doing nothing towards development. Regarding crime graph, I can only say that the situation is not as bad as is made out to be. It has definitely been blown out of proportion. Tell me, where is crime rate not alarming? What about UP, West Bengal, J&K? At least, Bihar is not Gujarat where crime reigns.
The 13-year long rule of Laloo-Rabri in Bihar has also achieved nothing. People have not been provided with basic amenities like bijli, pani, sadak besides, crime rate has gone very high. Patna is said to be the crime capital. So, why should people vote for you?
First of all, this is a Lok Sabha election. You are talking about local issues, not central. So far as development is concerned, the state government cannot be blamed for it. Yes, after the bifurcation of Bihar, instabilities have definitely crept in certain areas, which have plagued development.
You cannot however, say that the government is doing nothing towards development. Regarding crime graph, I can only say that the situation is not as bad as is made out to be. It has definitely been blown out of proportion. Tell me, where is crime rate not alarming? What about UP, West Bengal, J&K? At least, Bihar is not Gujarat where crime reigns.
Several Dalit ministers, including one Yadav minister, have quit and raised the banner of revolt. Don’t you think Laloo’s much-publicised slogan of social justice has lost its sheen?
The ministers who have resigned from the Rabri government are selfish and have no principle. They are in fact opportunist. However, this will not affect Laloo’s slogan of social justice.
But one of your allies Congress is also very disappointed and spitting venom against Laloo. Will it not send negative signal to the people?
If any one is frustrated unnecessarily, what can I say? Everything had been finalised at the highest level. The hue and cry will not affect the winning prospect of secular front here.
According to Chedi Paswan, since all the six assembly segments of Sasaram were being represented by RJD what was the logic behind fielding Congress candidate from there? Comment.
Sonia Gandhi wanted to field Meira Kumar from Sasaram. So Laloo had to succumb to her pressure.
If you are asked to point out one basic difference between your archrival CP Thakur and you, what will you say?
He is not down to earth whereas I can feel the pulse of people. Thakur represents the higher strata of society and I represent all strata. I am a grassroot-level worker who is always available to people. Thakur is never in touch with his people or their problems.
So you are assured of your winnability?
Yes, hundred per cent. People are fed-up of Thakur and with his autocratic behaviour.
Who will become the prime minister if the secular government comes to power?
Definitely, Sonia Gandhi.
What about Laloo?
Not this time. Laloo will become PM later. But this time Sonia will be the PM.