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BJP trying to distract people from its failures, says Mumbai Congress President Milind Deora
“BJP government’s policies have hurt small traders, shopkeepers, farmers and businesses. In the last five years, due to the fight between the Shiv Sena and BJP, no work has been done,” Milind Deora said.
Milind Deora, the Mumbai Congress president and the party’s south Mumbai candidate, has received rare endorsements by the country’s leading industrialists. In an interview with Aurangzeb Naqshbandi, the former Union minister said the statement by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for Bhopal, Pragya Thakur, that former Mumbai anti-terror squad chief Hemant Karkare died during the 26/11 attacks because had cursed him was contrary to the BJP’s views on nationalism and national security. Edited excerpts:
Q. What are you key talking points in this elections?
A. There are some local and some national issues. There are lots of local aspirations. Housing is a major issue in south Mumbai which is by far the most progressive area in the country. There are people who live in chawls and old dilapidated buildings and they don’t have basic amenities. Then there are also national issues. How the BJP government’s policies have hurt small traders, shopkeepers, farmers and businesses. In the last five years, due to the fight between the Shiv Sena and BJP, no work has been done.
Q. Are Pulwama and Balakot election issues or it is all about bread and butter?
A. There are some quarters, but in general people are also concerned about the kind of narrative set by the BJP. They are asking why the BJP government is politicising the armed forces. The statement of BJP candidate from Bhopal, Pragya Singh Thakur, about Hemant Karkare has gone against the BJP’s views on nationalism and national security. Having said that, different issues matter to different people and we need to address each of those separately and individually.
Q. What about Nyay (the Congress’ minimum income scheme)? Do Mumbaikars talk about it?
A. Yes, there is resonance in some quarters. I don’t like the word game changer in politics. I believe it will certainly help in providing a positive pro-development solution rather than focusing on just emotive issues. At least we are moving the debate from emotional issues to more substantive ones.
Q. So, you are essentially saying that Congress should stick to the narrative of jobs, agrarian crisis and development issues?
A. BJP is trying to distract the attention of the people from real issues and from its failures in last five years and the best way to do that is to talk about emotional issues. Even on the issue of armed forces, I believe that one of the biggest reasons why India is different from Pakistan is that we never allowed the armed forces to stage a coup because we have kept them away and disconnected from politics. Today by politicising the armed forces, BJP is bringing them into politics and that is a very dangerous trend and goes against India’s national security policy. It also shows that when a government tries to politicise armed forces and move away from development to emotive issues, it is a clear indication that they have failed on all fronts. So, we should bring the debate back to real issues.
Q. You have got endorsements from Reliance Industries Limited chairman Mukesh Ambani and banker Uday Kotak.
A. I have received support from all sections of the business communities, equally from large corporates to small traders. I count them all in equal measure because all of them will have a huge impact in making Mumbai and south Mumbai India’s commercial capital.
Q. You are considered close to Congress president Rahul Gandhi and he is contesting two seats — Amethi and Wayanad. Have Congress workers taken the decision positively given that the BJP says he is scared of losing Amethi?
A. Absolutely, it has sent good signals. Mr Narendra Modi contested from Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh in 2014. There is nothing wrong in that. From Uttar Pradesh to Kerala, it is a huge message for the entire country.
Q.We see a lot of young people contesting Lok Sabha polls this time. Do you think the time has come for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to contest the elections?
A. I can’t say that and that is for the party to decide and for Rahul Gandhi to take a call.
