With less than four weeks left for the crucial Delhi Assembly elections, the poll pitch in the national Capital is reaching its peak.
With eyes firmly set on regaining power after a gap of 15 years, hectic deliberations are on within the Bharatiya Janata Party to give preparations the finishing touches. Having announced its candidates for 58 Assembly constituencies and remaining eight seats of its share to be shortlisted within a day or two, the BJP's chief ministerial hopeful, Dr Harsh Vardhan, has plans ready to take on the Congress party. From strengthening law and order to better traffic management, from improving health and education infrastructure to full Statehood to the Capital, the BJP leader has chalked out his plan of action to make Delhi a better place to live in. Vardhan discussed at length the wide-ranging subjects in a tête-à-tête with Rakesh Ranjan
What is your (BJP) model for development of DelhiIJ
Our first priority will be making Delhi corruption-free. We will introduce the best available technologies at all levels of governance in Delhi and thus, leave no scope for corruption or financial bungling. The idea is to form a corruption-free, people-friendly Government. We will try to limit public interface between the Government and people by putting in place the best possible e-governance model. This will automatically fix the loopholes in the system.
law and order situation in general and women safety in particular remains an area of concern. What measures would the BJP suggest to curb crimeIJ
It is a harsh truth that 90 per cent of women in the Capital are unsafe, particularly during night. Reports suggest that crime rate in cities like london and New York came down by 40 per cent by just eliminating the dark places. We will ensure the city is well-lit. Further, the home guards and the civil defence have been rendered useless in the last 15 years. We will put these resources to optimum utilisation. Even during the BJP’s rule (1993 to 1998), home guard and civil defence personnel were roped in for the pulse polio mission.
How could the security apparatus in Delhi be improvedIJ
Strengthening the beat policing system can bring about a significant change. Citing no control of Government over the Delhi Police is a lame excuse. The Commissioner of Delhi Police is answerable to the Government and the legislative Assembly. All that Government needs to do is exercise its control on police in a stronger manner. Further, we would initiate the process of getting full Statehood to the national Capital. This would bring the policing system under the State Government’s control. We would also seek opinions from various experts on strengthening the security apparatus.
How would the BJP, if voted to power, execute its promise of reducing power tariff by 30 per centIJ
By bringing in competition among the power distribution companies and optimum use of natural sources of power, we can reduce power tariff not just by 30 per cent, but by 50 per cent. We will use technology to resolve the challenge of buying power. We can install solar panels on each house that would cater to its power requirements. The surplus power could also be sold to the grids. In addition to this, the BJP would introduce competition among the companies and also the consumers will have the option to opt for the power distribution company of their choice.
What would be the poll plank of the BJPIJ
The BJP will be concentrating on issues like corruption, food inflation, high power and water tariff and unauthorised colonies. But at the same time, issues like women safety, Yamuna pollution, traffic snarls, public transport infrastructure and housing of the poor will find equal prominence in the upcoming polls. The Congress-led Government has failed on all fronts and we would expose Government’s false claims before the public.
But, the Congress claims to have brought about radical changes in the city infrastructureIJ
The list of hollow promises made by the Congress is never-ending. More than 50 lakh people reside in slums and unauthorised colonies. Not a single flat has been allotted to those belonging to the economically weaker sections. Women continue to be the most vulnerable lot. After the December 16 gang-rape incident, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had promised security guards in DTC buses, but the promise has fallen flat. No expert opinion has ever been sought to make Delhi a safer place. Further, no step has been taken for full Statehood to Delhi. All these speak volumes about the Government’s failure on all fronts.
Nominating Vijender Gupta from the New Delhi Assembly Constituency came as a surprise to many. What was the idea behind the moveIJ
Vijender Gupta is a bold karyakarta (worker) of the BJP. He has the potential to put up a strong contest against Sheila Dikshit (though not officially announced) in her constituency. I believe, Gupta can prove to be a ‘giant killer’, ‘dark horse’ or a ‘blessing in disguise’. By leading the BJP to victory in the Municipal polls last year, he has proved what he is capable of. The decision was not forced on Gupta; he volunteered to contest from the New Delhi seat. The election results will be a bigger surprise.
Distribution of tickets has displeased several party leaders and workers. Is this going to have an impact on the party’s prospectsIJ
There were close to 1,500 aspirants and the party had to select the best of them. It is quite obvious that some may have become disheartened on being left out. The ongoing protests are symbolic and there is nothing unnatural in this. But, the beauty of this is that all party workers are committed to the BJP. The protests are negligible to what could have happened. This is because the BJP, while deciding the candidates, took utmost precaution. The selection was made in the most democratic fashion. All documents and reports were provided to members of the Central Election Committee. Also, it was open for all to see. I would compliment Delhi BJP in-charge Nitin Gadkari for supervising the party affairs so efficiently.
Any specific reason for not including Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel in the list of candidatesIJ
It was his personal decision. As far as I know, Goel himself opted out from contesting the elections. This will, however, have no impact as all party workers and leaders are united in fighting collectively.
What would be the BJP’s campaign strategy in the final leg of poll preparationsIJ
As part of our micro-management at the booth level, each of the BJP leaders and workers are visiting households. Further, the star campaigners of the BJP — including the Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, former deputy Prime Minister lal Krishna Advani and senior leaders like Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, Shatrughan Sinha and Nitin Gadkari — will be addressing rallies and public meetings in the Capital. Modi has assured us that he would address the rallies in Delhi as and when required by the party.
Is AAP any challenge to the BJPIJ
Arvind Kejriwal is a self-appointed leader. I have full confidence in the wisdom of Delhiites; they would not waste their votes. The BJP is confident of getting two-thirds majority in the elections.