The BJP is aiming to return to power in Delhi after 27 years, having ruled in the National Capital from only 1993 to 1998. In an interview, North East Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari, a former Delhi BJP chief, speaks about his party’s prospects in the February 5 polls, why it has not projected a chief ministerial face, and how its promises stand apart from those of its rivals. Excerpts: What do you think of the BJP’s prospects in these elections? The feedback, the conversations around the elections — even those who are somewhat peeved with the party or resentful are still extending their support — is a very big indicator that we will, after 27 years out of power in Delhi, be able to fill the gap this time. The faith of the people of the city in the BJP is showing. Are you referring to resentment among the people, within the party, or both? Many ticket hopefuls did not get them … this is not unusual. When the party’s prospects are bright, there is, naturally, more resentment in such a scenario. Since the party is winning, everyone wants a ticket so they can get elected as a legislator. But there will be only one (to get elected) from each party … When it comes to picking potential candidates, it is sometimes very tough to do so since they are neck-and-neck in assessment. But only one can be chosen. Everyone needs to be convinced and has to be shown the larger vision and objective of the party. There is not much confusion about whom other parties are pitching as their chief ministerial face. But this is not the case with the BJP. None of the parties has projected any face and neither has the BJP. We will decide who becomes the CM after the elections. The BJP has been following this approach for a long time … Even Narendra Modi ji was not the CM face when he contested the Gujarat elections … Yogi Adityanath ji either in Uttar Pradesh, (Manohar Lal) Khattar sahab in Haryana, or Devendra Fadnavis in Maharashtra. The BJP’s approach is, ‘Come, let us contest the elections united and together; one of you will be selected (for office) later.' Whoever it is, it will be a BJP karyakarta. What is your view on the comments that some candidates fielded by your party have recently made? There is no tolerance (for such comments) in our party. Sometimes people say something, by mistake or in over-excitement, which does not fit in with the BJP’s tradition or culture. The party immediately issues directions to apologise. When it comes to the BJP, such an individual is not only asked to apologise but they also do so immediately. But there are very few examples of this in other parties. For instance, Arvind Kejriwal got (Rajya Sabha MP and former Delhi Commission for Women chief) Swati Maliwal assaulted. What can be a befitting apology for this? … How will Kejriwal apologise for (the alleged assault on) someone like Swati Maliwal, who has repeatedly raised issues concerning Delhi? What is the BJP’s vision for Delhi? Within the five years after the formation of the BJP’s government in Delhi, women from poor backgrounds will, of course, get Rs 2,500 per month, pregnant women will get Rs 21,000, each economically weak household will get LPG cylinders for Rs 500, a poor citizen will get free health treatment up to Rs 10 lakh. But with all this, we will rid Delhi of its three garbage mountains with beautiful public parks within five years. How satisfied are you with the candidates picked by your party, especially when it comes to those from Purvanchali background? The AAP has given tickets to around a dozen candidates from the community, but the BJP to just a few. Ticket distribution is a matter of prevailing equations and circumstances (in a particular seat) . Sometimes these decisions turn out to be wrong; all such decisions cannot be correct every time. Ticket distribution this time around, I see the maximum chunk of it to be correct. In two to four instances, I feel better selections could have been made. A ticket is not given solely on someone’s ambition, there are many other factors. If someone we don’t consider to be the best choice has got a ticket, we will still throw our weight behind them to take them to victory. Those who are resentful, we will, and have in most cases, convinced them to walk along with us. What is important is that the party wins. The BJP accuses the AAP of distributing ‘free ki revdi’, but you have announced these will continue even under a BJP government. The Congress has announced similar schemes. What is the difference between the parties if all are making the same promises? We never say free revdi; free and revdi are two different things … Revdi baantna (distribution) is a phrase to describe ‘aap ne kaha kuch aur, par kiya kuch aur; aap ne jo kaha, woh nahin kiya (you say one thing but do another; not doing what you say you will)’. We are never against anything free . PM Narendra Modi has given a lot of free resources to the country … After 2014, the poor started getting free treatment of Rs 5 lakh, they got ration and will continue for five more years, 55 crore free bank accounts were opened, we gave homes and toilets for free. All this because these are basic needs … What the BJP says, it delivers and it says only what it can deliver.
