Excerpts:
You have been an MLA since 1983. What is the change that you have seen in terms of voters’ issues and expectations in Delhi?
Earlier, when I joined politics, Janakpuri was known as ‘gandhpuri’ as there was no proper sewer facility. At that time, people aspired for basic amenities. I have managed to provide that. We have the best of water supply, sewerage lines, electricity and roads here. We provided the people with a comfortable life-style along with developing education centres for them. Now, there are 30 senior secondary schools and everything you would want to in order to pursue higher education. All facilities are available in this area.
In the medical sector, we have also established various hospitals and dispensaries here. For the youth, we have established multiple gyms, a skating rink and swimming pools. In big district parks, we have opened toilet complexes as well. We have opened a cultural complex for them. Dilli Haat is one of the most popular places here. We have made sure that every block has an entry gate. Work for building foot-over bridges is also on. Janakpuri is one of the best places in Delhi to live in.
In 1993 and 1998, Delhi had one of the best governments then. Why did you all lose then?
We have constantly provided all amenities here to the people and kept them happy. Let us talk about the present, where in I can claim that we have been able to ensure 100 per cent in terms of laying of sewers, provided electricity, water and good roads to people at every single place in Janakpuri. This has been a great achievement for us.
After Arvind Kejriwal resigned within 49 days of becoming Delhi’s Chief Minister, why didn’t you allow elections to take place, hence leading to resurfacing of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) now ?
If we had fought elections then (when AAP quit), it would have been much better for us. Even now, I am sure we will win more than 50 seats and form the government in Delhi. The people of Delhi have seen 15 years of mis-governance and corruption by the Congress. Now, the public in Delhi has decided that they neither want a scam-tainted government nor an anarchist that might last for only 49 days, maybe. Where a Chief Minister of the state (Arvind Kejriwal) stands up and says he is an anarchist and neither does he follow the law or the Constitution, I think, there is no place for such a person in democracy. The people have shown him (Kejriwal) clearly that - Now, Kejriwal you have deceived us and had run away, there is no place for you here.
Your own son-in-law Suresh Kumar is fighting against you on a Congress ticket. What do you have to say about that? Kumar had joined Congress after being denied a ticket from the BJP in 2012 to fight municipal elections in Janakpuri. Will the youth vote sway to his side in your constituency?
No particular individual is contesting against me. It is the party that is fighting against me. BJP is a democratic party. India has a parliamentary party system where individuals do not matter and it’s the party that matters the most.
Has Kiran Bedi’s name provided a boost to the BJP’s campaign in Delhi ? Will the voters still vote on the basis of Modi magic?
Certainly. The party has got a major boost with her induction in the party and as our Chief Ministerial candidate. Kiran Bedi has been an honest IPS officer. She has fought for important causes like corruption and women’s security. Post retirement, she dedicated her life to projects for the cause of widows, women, poor and the elderly of the city. Modiji’s magic is prevalent in every corner of the country. The vision he has for the poor of this country is simply exemplary. He has been even able to achieve the most difficult task of bringing down inflation. He is truly an inspiration for all of us.
Before using Kiran Bedi’s face on posters, AAP had used yours. Do you think their ploy failed miserably to attract voters in both the cases?
This question should be asked to Arvind Kejriwal. I can only laugh at what has been done. Who is he to decide what BJP will do? My party didn’t declare anything nor did I claim anything. At least he should be able to handle and manage his own cadres. Everyday his party’s MLAs are leaving him. Now, he is not running an NGO but a political party and he must understand this.
You have been an MLA since 1983. What is the change that you have seen in terms of voters’ issues and expectations in Delhi?
Earlier, when I joined politics, Janakpuri was known as ‘gandhpuri’ as there was no proper sewer facility. At that time, people aspired for basic amenities. I have managed to provide that. We have the best of water supply, sewerage lines, electricity and roads here. We provided the people with a comfortable life-style along with developing education centres for them. Now, there are 30 senior secondary schools and everything you would want to in order to pursue higher education. All facilities are available in this area.
In the medical sector, we have also established various hospitals and dispensaries here. For the youth, we have established multiple gyms, a skating rink and swimming pools. In big district parks, we have opened toilet complexes as well. We have opened a cultural complex for them. Dilli Haat is one of the most popular places here. We have made sure that every block has an entry gate. Work for building foot-over bridges is also on. Janakpuri is one of the best places in Delhi to live in.
In 1993 and 1998, Delhi had one of the best governments then. Why did you all lose then?
We have constantly provided all amenities here to the people and kept them happy. Let us talk about the present, where in I can claim that we have been able to ensure 100 per cent in terms of laying of sewers, provided electricity, water and good roads to people at every single place in Janakpuri. This has been a great achievement for us.
After Arvind Kejriwal resigned within 49 days of becoming Delhi’s Chief Minister, why didn’t you allow elections to take place, hence leading to resurfacing of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) now ?
If we had fought elections then (when AAP quit), it would have been much better for us. Even now, I am sure we will win more than 50 seats and form the government in Delhi. The people of Delhi have seen 15 years of mis-governance and corruption by the Congress. Now, the public in Delhi has decided that they neither want a scam-tainted government nor an anarchist that might last for only 49 days, maybe. Where a Chief Minister of the state (Arvind Kejriwal) stands up and says he is an anarchist and neither does he follow the law or the Constitution, I think, there is no place for such a person in democracy. The people have shown him (Kejriwal) clearly that - Now, Kejriwal you have deceived us and had run away, there is no place for you here.
Your own son-in-law Suresh Kumar is fighting against you on a Congress ticket. What do you have to say about that? Kumar had joined Congress after being denied a ticket from the BJP in 2012 to fight municipal elections in Janakpuri. Will the youth vote sway to his side in your constituency?
No particular individual is contesting against me. It is the party that is fighting against me. BJP is a democratic party. India has a parliamentary party system where individuals do not matter and it’s the party that matters the most.
Has Kiran Bedi’s name provided a boost to the BJP’s campaign in Delhi ? Will the voters still vote on the basis of Modi magic?
Certainly. The party has got a major boost with her induction in the party and as our Chief Ministerial candidate. Kiran Bedi has been an honest IPS officer. She has fought for important causes like corruption and women’s security. Post retirement, she dedicated her life to projects for the cause of widows, women, poor and the elderly of the city. Modiji’s magic is prevalent in every corner of the country. The vision he has for the poor of this country is simply exemplary. He has been even able to achieve the most difficult task of bringing down inflation. He is truly an inspiration for all of us.
Before using Kiran Bedi’s face on posters, AAP had used yours. Do you think their ploy failed miserably to attract voters in both the cases?
This question should be asked to Arvind Kejriwal. I can only laugh at what has been done. Who is he to decide what BJP will do? My party didn’t declare anything nor did I claim anything. At least he should be able to handle and manage his own cadres. Everyday his party’s MLAs are leaving him. Now, he is not running an NGO but a political party and he must understand this.