‘Uma Bharti’s portfolios were changed every six months. Why? Only the PM can answer’

• Congress speaks a lot about upliftment of weaker sections. Now, will you make the way for a OBC/SC/ST candidate to become the chief m...

• Congress speaks a lot about upliftment of weaker sections. Now, will you make the way for a OBC/SC/ST candidate to become the chief minister of MP, in case your party wins the December polls?

Ratan Lal Soni

Is it necessary to be of a particular caste or community to help the weaker sections? Mahatma Gandhi was not from the weaker sections but has anyone else thought so much for them than him? This issue is not relevant.

• Having travelled of late through the length and breadth of Madhya Pradesh, I realise all your claims regarding the condition of roads are false. Why is this so?

Dilip Hariharan

Story continues below this ad

I have made no claims of very good roads in Madhya Pradesh. We are in the process of construction of Rs 2500-crore worth of new roads in the state.

• What is your vision for getting Madhya Pradesh out of the ‘BIMARU’ stigma?

Shishir Raizada

We are now out of the Bimaru stigma and the Planning Commission and the Human Development Report will bear me.

• You have been the CM for a decade now. Don’t you think it is time to retire gracefully and give chance to another person who may lead MP to a new direction? Why should the people vote for you?

Subhash Goel

Story continues below this ad

I have been the chief minister for a decade and whether I should gracefully retire or continue to head Madhya Pradesh is the prerogative of the Congress Legislative Party and the people of the state.

• While the southern states are zooming ahead in terms of development, Madhya Pradesh, which shares its borders with them is stuck at dolling out power freebies and the like to get votes. Even the poll issues being played out in MP seem trivial: furore over a Hanuman birthday cake, row over bachelorship, etc. And all this when educated young men are moving out of the state in search of a better life and a career. What do you have to say about these?

Samir M Patwa

It is not correct to say that southern states are zooming ahead in development. In the Government of India, Human Development Report, you will find that Madhya Pradesh has improved its standing in the overall ranking while the southern states’ ranking has come down.

We are not trivialising issues in MP. With all seriousness at our command we are creating conditions for a secure future for the educated youth for a better quality of life.

Story continues below this ad

• As a CM candidate, how do you rate your opponent: Uma Bharti? Is it not true that she has already turned the tables on you even though she arrived late on the MP election scene?

Pankaj Brijnain

First of all, I would only make a statement of facts. I was a minister in the Arjun Singh government in the state for five years and held important portfolios. I was the Pradesh Congress Committee president for seven years. I have been the chief minister for 10 years. And Umaji has been in Cabinet thrice, her portfolios were changed every six months. Why this happened is something that Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayeeji can answer. Obviously, there is something wrong somewhere. Rest I leave it to your judgement on the past performance of both of us.

Firingline: Next Week

Maulvi Abbas ansari, Hurriyat chief

The Centre’s new move on Kashmir is the Valley buzz. With the Government authorising the Deputy Prime Minister to hold talks with the Hurriyat, the spotlight is now on the separatist conglomerate. The Hurriyat has had its own problems, a nasty spat between the hardliners and moderates which has deepened the divide within. So will the Hurriyat seize the chance to chart a new course for the people of Kashmir? Maulvi Abbas Ansari, the Hurriyat chief, can tell you what’s brewing. If you have a poser for him, route it via firingline@expressindia.com