Beni Babu is back with Samajwadi Party. He is one of the two old war horses (the other being is Amar Singh) and a known Mulayam loyalist to have returned to the Samajwadi fold. While Amar Singh’s return has let the tongue wagging in SP, Beni Babu has been welcomed with open arms.
SP leaders say that Beni Prasad Verna, considered a true socialist, got swayed but better sense prevailed leading to his return.
"The Samajwadi Party is my address in the true sense. I had an ego problem with Mulayam Singh ji but now everything has been sorted out," said Beni Verma during a tête-à-tête with this scribe on a lazy lucknow afternoon munching `dhokla’.
"The SP will return to power with vengeance and will form the government a second time. The BJP is spreading canard against us. Meri aur Mulayam Singh ji ki umar ho gayee nahi to BJP ko paani peela dete," he said in his inimitable style.
He spoke at length about party politics, chances of Samajwadi Party forming government and his relations with Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Excerpt of the interview:
Q: Kairana has become a huge big political issue. The BJP has raised it vociferously and is claiming that people have left Kairana because of machination by two criminals, who belong to the other religious community. Won’t Kairana prove to be a Waterloo for the SP in the next election IJ
A: Kairana is a non-issue raised by a communal party. The BJP wants to defame the SP government and hence raised the issue. There is no exodus from Kairana and adjoining areas. Some people left for better opportunities while others moved to nearby areas in search of job or livelihood.
Q: BJP has now linked Kairana with law and order deterioration …
A: How can you link it with law and order IJ land dispute is everywhere. As population has increased the rate of crime has spiked. It is an old saying that disputes take place because of Zar, Zoru and Zameen. There is nothing new. If people want to go to other places in search of greener pastures, should we stop them IJ The BJP charges are ridiculous. look at what is happening in BJP-ruled states like Haryana and Gujarat. There people have come out on the streets. In UP you do not see that kind of violence.
Q: Do you agree that the Kairana issue has pushed the SP on the back foot. It now looks defensive and top leaders are forced to come out and do the explaining.
A: There is no question of being defensive. The BJP does not have any issue and hence raised Kairana. People have now started asking as to why prices of petrol and diesel have gone up despite a fall in international price. The BJP does not have any answer. “Meri aur Mulayam Singh ji ki umar ho gayee hai nahi to BJP ko paani peela dete… aise, paani to ab bhi peela denge”.
look what kind of party is this. There is a woman leader of the saffron brigade who has given a call to make India ' Muslim free'. Earlier the BJP had given a slogan 'Congress Mukt Bharat' – which is understandable. It is a political slogan but the slogan of Muslim-mukt Bharat is anti-Constitutional and it is not acceptable. The BJP has not said a word about that lady. The BJP should explain what will it do with 20 crore Muslims. Will PM Narendra Modi throw them in oceanIJ
Q: Who do you consider your rival in UP electionIJ. the Bharatiya Janata Party or the BSP IJ
A: I expect a triangular fight with Samajwadi Party, BJP and BSP being the main players. But if BJP is able to communalise the polls, then the fight would be between SP and BJP. In any case, the SP will win and Akhilesh Yadav would be the next Chief Minister of UP.
Q: An important factor for SP's victory in UP depends on support of Muslims. What will happen if the Muslims desert the party IJ
A: (Smiles). You are mistaken mister – Muslims are with the SP. In other words, I can say that the SP is the first choice of Muslims. This is I am saying with conviction because of the faith Muslims have on Mulayam Singh Yadav. I have my ears on the ground and can tell you that like last time, Muslims will vote for the SP. Therefore, I am confident about the victory of SP in 2017 elections.
Q: What impact will the elections have if the BJP gives a CM face…
A: BJP will give a face in this election! I can vouch that it will never project a face. `Kya hai BJP mein Narendra Modi or Amit Shah ke allawa’. The party will contest election projecting Modi and this strategy will fall flat because people have seen how he has misled the people
Q: Is there a possibility of secular forces coming together in 2017 polls. Do you see any chance of Congress, SP and other like-minded parties joining hands.
A:There is all possibility of a secular alliance with Gandhiwadi, lohiawadi and Charan Singhwadi aligning to counter the communal BJP. The secular front would certainly emerge before the Assembly polls and it will counter the BJP.
The RlD members had supported SP candidates in the Rajya Sabha and legislative Council polls. The SP members too supported Congress candidates. This proves that relation between the secular parties has improved.
Q: You were in Congress and now you say that the SP may go for an alliance with the grand old party of India. Will you play a crucial role because you have relations with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
A: I do not deny that I have still very good relations with Sonia ji and Rahul ji. I do not believe in burning bridges. But I do not want to play any mediatory role. There are people who do it. I am not one of them. But I wish the SP and the Congress should contest polls together.
Q: What are your plans about strengthening the SP IJ Will you be holding rallies in near future..
A: I plan to hold a big rally in Barabanki after Ramzan and later will hold rallies in different parts of the state like Bahraich, Gonda, Khiri etc. After Ramzan, I plan to go full throttle.
Q: Before I leave, I am tempted to ask your relation with Mulsysm Singh Yadav. Why did it turn sour IJ
A: `Arre kuch nahi’. There was some ego problem. The issue has been sorted out. Mulayam Singh ji made a call and we decided to mend fences. This happens between good friends. Do not try to read much into this.