There is anti-Digvijay wave across the State: Joshi

Former CM Kailash Joshi is not among one of those aggressive leaders an Opposition party should ideally have in an election year. Nonetheless he is presiding over the BJP in MP which is confident of unseating Digvijay Singh after his 10-year rule. He spoke to Abhilash Khandekar.

Q. How is the BJP placed today, one and a half months before the polling?

A. I can see a strong wave in favour of the BJP. Not only are we leaders confident but the people as well are confident of BJP’s big victory this time round. The recent poll-oriented decisions of the State Government like free power, pattas to the slum-dwellers have not gone down well with the people because they know that the Congress Government has done this with an eye on the elections.

Q. But the BJP had seen `a wave’ in 1998 too and was confident of forming government then. What went wrong?

A. Yes, we were confident of defeating Digvijay Singh Government in 1998 but because of his extensive rigging and some of our problems we lost the elections. All are repenting for the same. We had not spoken about a wave that time but this time definitely there is an anti-Digvijay and pro-BJP wave across the State. A large number of people are joining the BJP this time. In Satna many Janata Dal people joined our party recently.

Q. But what about your internal problems and infighting? Uma Bharti is facing stiff opposition from within. It seems your house is not in order as yet. Comment.

A. No, our party is completely united and there are no serious internal problems. The party is backing Uma to the fullest. Our workers say they have suffered a lot in the last 10 years and they would defeat Digvijay Singh at any cost. Growing number of ticket aspirants is a good sign for us; not a problem as you people see it.

Q. What are the issues other than road and power?

A. Look, The CM was repeatedly misleading people by saying that the roads and power situation would improve soon. This has not happened. So, the issues remain on the top of peoples’ minds today. Corruption is another important issue for the people and for us. MP has become one of the most corrupt states of the country under Digvijay Singh. Steady decline of work culture, unemployment, poverty are the other major issues the BJP is raising. If you have noticed, the rich have become richer and the poor have become poorer in Madhya Pradesh in the past decade. Sound industrial development, which strengthens any economy, is absent in this state. What should people do?

First Published: Oct 23, 2003 13:45 IST