Asserting that a slew of financial benefits and increased job reservation for women in Madhya Pradesh by the BJP Government are not "revadis" but genuine efforts to institutionalise "women empowerment" in the State, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said a "clear mandate" awaits BJP in the forthcoming Assembly polls as the Congress has no Common Minimum Programme (CMP).
On the question whether the State may go to polls with "collective leadership" rather than projecting a chief ministerial face, he said, "Why not (collective leadership)?"
Speaking to The Pioneer at his picturesque 'Shyamla Hills' residence at Bhopal, Chouhan said, "There is infighting within the Congress, the Modi wave has hit the State and the Congress is staring at defeat.”
Busy with his 18-day 'Jan Ashirwad Yatra' criss-crossing the poll-bound State Assembly, the Chief Minister said, "Vikas aur jan kalyan hi ek mudda BJP ka hai chunav main (We will fight the election on the issue of welfare and progress)."
Madhya Pradesh along with Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram, is going to polls in the next two-months as Assemblies in these States will be completing their term by December 17.
Asked whether the Congress model of development and freebie template in Karnataka may work for the Opposition party in Madhya Pradesh, too, Chouhan said, "No model will work. The Congress does not have a CMP.”
He said the Congress is "stooping too low in its election campaign and making wild charges (of corruption) as they know they will not win the poll."
"The Congress is a den of brokers … The Income Tax Department and the Enforcement Directorate recovered crore rupees from their leaders", he said.
On the question of the chief ministerial face in the BJP and whether the party would go for 'collective leadership" in MP like in Karnataka, he said, "Yes, why not...we are not bothered about CM face, we are focused on serving people."
Asked about many Congress leaders crossing-over to the BJP and many in the saffron party feeling insecure on this account, the Chief Minister said, “The Congress did not fulfill many promises that’s why Scindia and other leaders came to us.” He said none in the BJP is feeling insecure or threatened by those who have come from other parties.
The Chief Minister said the party will fare much better this time round including in the Gwalior-Chambal region. Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia who hails from Gwalior has since joined the BJP. In 2018 Assembly poll, Chauhan said, "The BJP got 1,000 more vote than Congress...seats main ham kam they."
On the spate of women-oriented schemes announced by his Government relating to girl-education, providing financial aid for 'Kanya vivah' , 50 per cent reservation to women in local election units in the state, 50 per cent reservation in teaching jobs and giving property rights to them, the Chief Minister said "These are not revadis or freebies but real empowerment of women and an authentic step to give women their rights on a equal footing with men".
" And why not women given more powers...do they not deserve to reach their heights..?", he sought to ask.
"Maine 30 percent reservation Mahilaon ko zidpurvak diya...aaj betiyan command kar rahin hain sarkar chala rahin hain..", he said .
The Chief Minister said " today we signed an MOU that toll tax counters would be run by women".
Detailing women-centric schemes, he said one percent reduction in stamp duty for registering property jn the name of woman has shown results "with 45 percent women in the state owning properties."
He said these welfare measures have improved the sex-ratio with the state "registering 956/1000 daughters in the state." "We are aiming that women earn minimum of Rs 10000 monthly and we are moving towards this target...and this is not revadi...", said the 64-year-old four-time Chief Minister of the state.
Chauhan did not give his views on the issues of one nation one election and women reservation in the Lok Sabha and state Legislatures as also on the implementation of Uniform Civil Code, saying "party ke vicar mere vicar hain".
Showering praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership , Chauhan said "Modi changed agenda of Indian politics, there is a big change now".
"Pahle apne ko Hindu kahna apradh tha, Ram aur Ram Setu ko kalpnik batate they, ab Congress bhi raste main hain , usko lagta hai agar Hindu hith ki baat nahi boli to nuksan ho jayega...", the Chief Minister said hitting-out at the "double-faced politics " of the opposition party.
Quizzed on him currently taking a hard-line even though he was earlier known as a soft-liberal politician , Chauhan said " when I started as CM , the state was infested with dacoits..I finished them in six-month , also ended Naxalism. " Main janata ke saath soft hoon...dusht ke Saath dusht..." The CM said as he got up to attend to his next party programme awaiting him.
On the last question whether he has ambition to play a bigger role at the national level, Chauhan waved-off saying " main Arjun ki Tarah chidiyah ki aankh.. Madhya Pradesh.. dekh rahan hun."
Chauhan's popular 'Ladli' schemes for women and girls under different nameplates have earned him affectionate acronym 'Mama' .
Last month, financial aid given to women in the 'Ladli Behna' scheme was raised from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,250 per month. The Chief Minister also announced 35 percent reservation for women in government jobs and gas cylinders to them for Rs 450.