Vijay Sampla, former Union Minister
Starting his political journey as a sarpanch (village head) of his native Sofi village in Jalandhar district, Vijay Sampla has emerged as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s prominent leader and Dalit face in Punjab. A former Union Minister in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first term, Sampla had worked as a farmhand, a labourer, also as a plumber, technician, and electrician in the early years of his life before setting up his own business. At the age of 27, Sampla struggled to find his feet against the oppressive landlords of Jalandhar’s Sofi village; and went off to Saudi Arabia in 1979 to work for a plumbing company as he and his brother were left to fend for themselves after their father’s death. A matriculate, Sampla became part of the saffron brigade in 1998.
After serving on several key posts in the state BJP unit, Sampla has recently resigned from the coveted post of National Commission for Scheduled Castes’ chairman to contest February 20 elections. With the BJP testing itself in Punjab’s political waters, leading – for the first time in the State – a newly-formed alliance with Capt Amarinder Singh-led Punjab Lok Congress and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa-led SAD (Sanyukt), the saffron party is banking on its senior-most SC leader in the State to retain the traditional Phagwara reserved seat. Also known for his acting skills and his performances in Ramleela, Sampla makes it clear that the saffron party is set to form the next government despite all efforts by its rivals to spread hatred against it under the garb of farmers’ agitation. “Only BJP can ensure Punjab’s security and development, eliminate corruption and end mafia and goonda raj...just like it controlled everything in Jammu and Kashmir,” believes Sampla.
In conversation with The Pioneer, Sampla talks about BJP’s prospects in the ensuing Punjab elections, power that Capt Amarinder’s charisma would lend to the alliance, impact of the recently-concluded farmers’ year-long agitation and their entry in the electoral ring this time, and much more. Excerpts from the interview:
Punjab, this time, is witnessing a multi-cornered fight. Where do you see BJP in this election?
The people’s faith in BJP is increasing every day. No one trusts Congress and the same is with Shiromani Akali Dal. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is leaderless...And all of them are making false and fake promises and that’s why people don’t trust them anymore. But, it is evident that wherever there is BIP’s government, it has assured security — whether internal or external...The women can freely roam even late at night in BJP ruled states...There is no hatred among the people. But here in Punjab, so much hatred is being spread among people...the brothers are becoming each others’ enemies...In fact, a lot of hatred was also spread under the garb of farmers’ agitation...BJP’s slogan is khush-hali aur bhaichaara (prosperity and brotherhood), this means that we will make it prosperous...And for that, there is a dire need for mutual strong coordination...Punjab’s gurus have also given the message of sanjhivaarta (common dialogue)...We work on the principles of having love among ourselves, respect for one another, and manav ki jaat ek hai pehchaan (entire human race has one identity) ... So as of now, there was not such a situation in Punjab, and if the people of Punjab think that it was not handled at the right time, it can lead to a Jammu and Kashmir like situation here. But just the way the BJP controlled everything in Jammu and Kashmir, it will bring everyone in the mainstream in Punjab also and work towards ensuring to have love and respect for each other. Wherever BJP goes, it brings development. And wherever other parties have formed the government, they have encouraged corruption...Wherever BJP has the government, it has put an end to corruption, mafia raj, goonda raj....And all this is at its peak here in Punjab...which only BJP can control.
BJP faced year-long protests due to three contentious farm laws that have been repealed now. But, its fight with the farmers is still on as they have now entered the electoral arena. In fact, a wave of resentment against the BJP is still there despite the withdrawal of laws. What do you have to say?
As I have already said, wherever there is BJP’s government, it pays attention to communal harmony and brotherhood...And where there is a BJP government, nowhere communal clashes have been reported...There used to be riots. But aaj ki taarikh mein (as of today), no riots or clashes have been reported...There is a big difference. The people have also noticed that there are no such clashes and there’s an increase in aapsi pyaar (mutual love)...And similar things will happen in Punjab also in the times to come...BJP will assure it.
But do you think that the farmers’ outfit, Sanyukt Samaj Morcha, will make any impact?
Nai nai (No, no)...There won’t be any impact...It will be nowhere...Earlier, other parties were adding fuel to the fire by taking advantage of the situation and inciting the farmers against the BJP... Now, they all are busy contesting their own elections...Now, all such parties, who were adding fuel to the fire and spreading hatred, are all caring about themselves only. No one cares about the farmers now. And this difference is visible today...Today, the farmers are also saying that these leaders and these parties had come forward during the agitation for their vested political interests only.
In the previous election, Capt Amarinder Singh was leading the Congress. This time, he is BJP’s ally. How much do you think this Capt factor will help BJP or otherwise?
A lot many things happen when we work together...when we walk together. There are people who don’t have much social value, but actually, it is the value of their hard work which is significant...It makes a lot of difference...We don’t consider ourselves too high, but tutch (petty), insignificant...And when we are together, our strength is too big. In BJP, wherever it has formed an alliance, it has honoured it religiously. And everyone has faith in one another. Even though this Akali Dal and BSP have forged an alliance, neither of them has faith in each other. There are no signs or indications of their votes getting transferred to one another. So, there appears to be no alliance between them...But, BJP is moving ahead with full trust with those it has allied...And all those signs, which are considered good to secure a win, are visible here.
So you mean to say that the Capt factor will work in favour of BJP or it will be the vice-versa?
I said what I wanted to say. That’s all!
All other parties have declared their Chief Ministerial candidates. Who will be the face of the BJP-PLC-SAD (Sanyukt) alliance?
In BJP, such decisions are not taken before the election. It is only after the elections...Whatever the high command decides, we all will go by that. All have faith in the BJP. And BJP is not a party of an individual; it is a sangathan (an organization). In other parties, they depend on an individual; but here, everyone works for the organization. Other parties indulge in mera-tera (mine and yours); But here in BJP, leaders and workers, and everyone works in the name of organization. This is the difference in BJP...Who is CM here, no one cares about that. What all are concerned about is that CM is of the BJP.
SAD and BJP had a decades-old alliance, which ended in the election year. Amongst all the speculations of Punjab having a hung verdict, will there be any chance for entering in post-poll alliance with SAD?
No such signs are visible as of now. And if it is such, the BJP’s central leadership will decide on that. Whatever the high command decides, Punjab would have full faith in it.
BJP’s very senior leader Madan Mohan Mittal recently left the party, Earlier, former Minister Anil Joshi too joined SAD. Union Minister Som Parkash insists that there is a need to introspect. Your comments...
Even if a small worker leaves the party, it hurts. And Mittal ji is such a tall leader. We feel very disappointed. But BJP is our mother and we give our entire life to the party. And in that way, we should also have complete faith in it... Mittal ji is our respectable leader and we respect him a lot. He has given so much strength to the BJP and we want that his blessings would continue to be with us.