As he carries out whirlwind tour of the state these days canvassing for the general elections, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal exudes confidence of winning all 10 Lok Sabha seats in the state and a clear majority in the country with Narendra Modi returning as the Prime Minister again.
Riding the Narendra Modi wave in 2014 general elections, the saffron party had emerged as a major gainer in Haryana where it had managed to win 7 seats and later that year, created a history by attaining absolute majority on its own in the State Assembly polls.
While the political observers opine that the 2019 election may not be a repeat of 2014 where Modi wave had decimated the Congress, Manohar Lal, who is shouldering the responsibility of leading the party’s charge in Haryana, is hoping to build on recent victories of his party in Jind bypoll and civic body polls to dislodge the opposition in ensuing Lok Sabha polls.
A non-Jat Manohar Lal, who heads the BJP Government in Jatland-Haryana, asserts that party’s poll agenda is development.
“The BJP Government has worked hard at the Centre and in the state. We have fulfilled the promises we had made to the people of Haryana before coming to power. We are now seeking people’s support for the development works we have carried out during our regime,” says the Chief Minister.
At a time when political parties are sewing up alliances setting a stage for multi-corned electoral battle in Haryana, Manohar Lal, whose saffron party, will go it alone in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, says, “There is no challenge in front of the BJP in the state.”
The performance of political parties in the Lok Sabha polls, would also determine, to a large extent, their future in the State Assembly polls which are due to be held later this year.
BJP has completed over four years of tenure in Haryana and the Chief Minister, during his roadshows and election rallies, is focusing on listing out his government’s achievements besides sticking to the issue of national security and nationalism.
Former RSS Pracharak, Manohar Lal enjoys a clean image but has been severely criticized by opposition over his government’s failure during violent Jat quota stir, dera followers’ violence at Panchkula, violence during Baba Rampal’s arrest in the state.
In an interview with The Pioneer, the Chief Minister talks about party’s poll agenda, strategy and other issues. Excerpts from the interview
It has been more than four years of BJP’s regime in Haryana now. What do you think have been the major achievements of your government so far?
In our four-year term, we have been able to give transparent and honest government to the people of Haryana. This is our greatest achievement… Through e-services today, we have brought the government schemes easily accessible to the general public. Following the principle of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas, we resolve to ensure all round development in the state.
How do you see the last four years of your tenure? What gives you the biggest satisfaction in this period as a CM?
As CM, I had the opportunity to serve the public and the four-year term was full of satisfaction. However, there is still a lot to be done… There is a satisfaction that what we said or promised, was done. In these four years, Haryana has touched the new stages of development. The upliftment of all sections of the society has always been my government’s priority. Various sections of society like farmers, women, youth… all are satisfied with the government’s work.
Now as Lok Sabha polls have been announced, what will be BJP’s election agenda?
The BJP’s electoral agenda is only development… The BJP Government has worked at the Centre and in the state. People have seen our rule… have experienced change. Public faith in the government system is also restored under BJP’s regime. On the basis of this change, BJP will ask people to vote in its favor again.
The BJP had performed well in 2014 general elections in Haryana and won 7 seats? What are your views on BJP’s election prospects this time at the state level?
In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, we won 7 seats in the state. After this election, we got a clear mandate in the Assembly elections and we formed the government. Last year, the party won elections in five municipal corporations and this year, we won Jind bye-elections with huge votes. All this reflects public’s faith in BJP’s policies. On the basis of this belief, we will win all 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana.
What will be party’s strategy for Hisar, Rohtak and Sirsa Lok Sabha seats, which the BJP had lost in 2014? It is being said that the BJP is in a fix over deciding its candidates on these seats.
In the last Lok Sabha elections, our alliance partner was contesting on the Hisar and Sirsa seats. Because of which the voter was confused. This time, BJP candidates will contest the elections in Hisar and Sirsa Lok Sabha constituencies. There will be no scope for any type of confusion this time. In Rohtak parliamentary seat also, the BJP will field a strong candidate.
Haryana will be witnessing a multi-cornered electoral fight this time. There is BJP, Congress, INLD, JJP, AAP and BSP-LSP alliance in Haryana. Who do you think will be party’s main challenger?
There is no challenge in front of the BJP in the state. So we are confident to win all the 10 seats. The main opposition parties—Congress and INLD—are still struggling with infighting. The Congress leadership has no vision of any kind. After the recent defeats, the Congress leaders are themselves refusing to contest the Lok Sabha election. The other parties do not have any existence in the state.
What are your views on BJP’s election prospects at national level under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi?
Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s charismatic leadership is not only appreciated in the country but also around the world. We are confident that with absolute majority, Modi will again become the Prime Minister of the country.
You have been conducting roadshows, holding public meetings and interaction sessions with people since last year. How is the response among people about BJP’s governance model in Haryana?
There is a wide discussion of the BJP's governance model in Haryana. People often meet me and tell me how their children were working hard for years but did not get any job… But, there are job opportunities now and people are availing it. The life of people is being facilitated through e-services. We ensured canal water to 1350 tail-end in Haryana and are committed for the welfare of farmers. Our happiness lies only in the happiness of our people.
You have said that corruption has reduced drastically in your term. What contributed to this phenomenon, never seen in the earlier regimes?
In the previous regimes, the leaders were only interested in gaining power by forming the government. But, our purpose is not to gain power but to serve the people. When we came to power, we tried to close all the doors of corruption. We have provided a transparent and graft-free system. Even prestigious research agencies of the country have stated that corruption in the state has decreased. This is a major success of ours…
What kind of obstacles did you face, if any in governance? Is the mindset of the bureaucracy and people changing and are they accepting the winds of change blowing in the state?
There was no difficulty of any kind… We have been able to achieve various milestones and it is because we have overcome the difficulties together (bureaucrats and people’s representatives). For instance, when we talked about transparency in jobs, some people had thought that it could not happen… But, today, everyone acknowledges the fact that we have been able to do it.
What are the challenges before Haryana at this juncture? How do you plan to overcome them in the remaining period of your term as Chief Minister?
Regionalism of the previous governments and politics of discrimination had pushed the state far behind that of others. The state has immense potential and we are on the path of progress in terms of development. It is a challenge to complete all development works in the remaining period. However, I have confidence in my team (government functionaries) and together, we will be able to complete our various works.
The opposition parties in Haryana have accused the BJP of not delivering on its polls promises made in 2014. Accusations related to mining scam, failure to generate employment, land scams among others have been made against your government. Your take on this
The work of opposition parties is to blame us. And, they will continue to do so… We are accountable to the public and the people are happy with our policies. The majority of the election promises that we had made in the 2014 State Assembly elections, have been completed. We have so far managed to give around 64000 government jobs. As far as allegations made related to various scams, the opposition has not been able to prove it till date.
The state had witnessed violent Jat agitation in 2016, which has allegedly divided the Jats and non-Jats in the state. How do you look at the entire scenario?
The entire Haryana is one… There is no scenario like Jat and non-Jat in the state. Without any discrimination, the government is also undertaking development works in the entire state.
Several Jat leaders have announced to boycott the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls over the issue of non-fulfillment of their demands including reservation. Will this affect BJP’s poll prospects? Your take on this.
The government has accepted all the demands including reservation of Jat community. There should not be any such thing as boycott... If there is any demand then they can meet me anytime. I am always ready to work for the society.
Haryana Assembly polls are also scheduled to be held this year. What is the roadmap of your government and party’s strategy in view of Assembly elections 2019?
Like the Lok Sabha election, our road map for assembly elections is very clear. Assembly elections will also be fought on the issue of development. We have fulfilled the promises we had made to the people of Haryana before coming to power. For the first time, the government schemes have reached the common people in the state. Be it providing of jobs or carrying out development works... We believe that like the Lok Sabha elections, we will get more seats in assembly elections too.
Stagnation in agriculture and stagnation in farmers' income is a phenomenon which is there in several parts of the country. Your take on this
The income of agriculture sector and farmer is complementary to each other. The previous governments considered only a measure of debt forgiveness for farmers. But, today our Central and State Government is focusing on both agriculture output and farmers’ welfare. In this regard, we have implemented various schemes. The Central Government has facilitated income security to farmers by fixing the MSP of six crops. In 2019, the Government had made its vision clear to the farmer by announcing a financial assistance of Rs 6000 per year.
The State Government has also implemented measures for farmers’ welfare by giving water till tail-end in Haryana.