Sudhir Mungantiwar, senior BJP chief from Maharashtra, on what labored for the occasion within the Meeting polls, power-sharing with allies and the way forward for Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray. The session was moderated by Senior Editor Shubhangi Khapre
Shubhangi Khapre: Did you anticipate the Mahayuti win in Maharashtra as a result of, after the Lok Sabha outcomes, the BJP cadre appeared demoralised? Would you attribute it to Hindutva, OBC (Different Backward Castes) vote consolidation or the Maratha issue?
Normally, Lok Sabha outcomes are analysed based on seats. We analysed it via votes. We (BJP and allies, together with Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Social gathering) bought 2,48,50,000 votes whereas the Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA, an alliance of Congress, Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray and Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Social gathering and others) bought 2.5 crore votes. There was a distinction of 1.5 lakh votes. In Mumbai, we bought 26 lakh votes and the MVA bought 24 lakh votes nevertheless it was not distributed correctly. As soon as it got here to our discover, we formulated a number of schemes and ensured they reached the beneficiaries.
We carried out a number of schemes just like the Ladki Bahin Yojana, free electrical energy as much as 7.5 horsepower for farmers, the Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana for the aged and the Ladla Bhai Yojana for 10 lakh youth. I’ve been an MLA for the final 30 years and have seen the velocity with which every authorities works. Typically, the bulletins we make within the Finances aren’t carried out till December, and even till the following Finances. However the speciality of the present Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the 2 deputy Chief Ministers, Devendra Fadnavis (BJP) and Ajit Pawar, was that they set to work instantly after the election outcomes. After the Lok Sabha debacle, the BJP cadres had been decided to win, similar to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj could be decided and win each battle. The Ladki Bahin Yojana, below which cash was transferred straight into the accounts of two.42 crore ladies and women, labored for us they usually acknowledged that by giving us their mandate.
There was complete dedication and focus from the BJP’s central management with House Minister Amit Shah sending Setting Minister Bhupender Yadav, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and BJP’s nationwide normal secretary Shiv Prakash. Then there was Fadnavis himself on the bottom.
Our intention was by no means to simply win the elections; we wished to win folks’s hearts. Within the coming days, we’ve to work with that perspective. After I met Fadnavis final evening (Thursday), we didn’t focus on who could be the CM. We talked about how Maharashtra, because the financial engine of the nation, might contribute to its monetary development. Now we have to work for growth over the following 5 years and can succeed.
Shubhangi Khapre: The BJP focussed loads on consolidating the OBC vote. How a lot did that have an effect on this election?
The Marathas additionally voted for us. Maratha MLA Babanrao Lonikar received from Partur. So it isn’t true that solely a sure caste group supported us. Even Muslims voted for us in some seats. We misplaced the Lok Sabha election as a result of we didn’t take a look at our vote distribution. We took care of that this time.
Shubhangi Khapre: Did the marketing campaign slogans like ‘Batenge toh katenge’ or ‘Ek hain toh protected hain’ have an effect?
I don’t suppose it influenced the voter a lot as a result of this slogan has been in use for the reason that time of Chanakya. It was utilized by Shivaji Maharaj, Maharana Pratap, Rani Laxmibai and even Mahatma Gandhi. This was a slogan to information and take us ahead. We’d have gotten some votes due to it however saying that it helped us win isn’t true.
Shubhangi Khapre: Did it assist in Hindu vote consolidation?
I don’t suppose so. Everybody — Muslims and Sikhs — voted for us. The place did the two.48 crore Lok Sabha votes come from?
Sandeep Singh: There was a 15 per cent hole within the vote share vis-a-vis the MVA, which is sort of irregular. What do you attribute that to?
I’d say the vanity of the Opposition. It destroys an individual. What was the distinction between Lord Ram and Ravan? Ravan was boastful about his information. Lord Ram knew what that would do. After the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress was crammed with hubris. Its narrative that reservations could be discontinued — Congress chief Rahul Gandhi himself stated so within the US —merely didn’t work.
In addition to, who’s liable for inequality on this nation? The Congress ruled this nation for 55 years. In accordance with the 2011 census, 6.5 crore folks had been residing with out a home. Between 1960 and 2014, nationwide highways in Maharashtra grew from 2,000 km to 4,500 km, a paltry enhance of two,500 km. In 10 years, the nationwide highways spanned 19,000 km, a rise of 15,000 km. They know the politics of profitable and never the politics of growth. It was apparent they’d lose this election.
Sandeep Singh: How did Rahul Gandhi’s marketing campaign play out?
There’s a restrict to mendacity. Regardless of being such a senior chief, you don’t know that the Structure can’t be modified by anybody. Due to this fact, even BR Ambedkar as soon as stated, “The Congress is a burning home. Whomsoever will enter will probably be burnt.” The Congress was jealous of Ambedkar, they didn’t even give him a Bharat Ratna.
Alok Deshpande: Do you’re feeling Eknath Shinde’s picture and work performed a key function in your victory?
It’s a bunch effort. The Chief Minister (CM) presides, the Cupboard decides. You can not say that one individual helped us win.
Sandeep Singh: Whose brainchild was the Ladki Bahin Yojana?
It was the thought of the CM and the deputy CMs. However sure, I’d give lots of credit score to the CM for taking it up in numerous Cupboard conferences and we supported it. Earlier, folks had been saying that the cash (disbursed by the scheme) would come from the taxpayer’s cash. I stated revenue tax goes to the Authorities of India. Actually, I believe it’s the cash of the frequent folks as they pay GST on each merchandise and so it’s the frequent man’s cash going again to them. In 2017, because the finance minister, I carried out the Seventh Pay Fee and gave Rs 86,000 crore to 18,000 folks. Nobody had an issue with that then.
Shubhangi Khapre: Even with a landslide victory, why is it taking so lengthy to kind a authorities?
Within the final 20 years, that is going to be the primary authorities that’s going to be shaped so rapidly. In 2004, it took 15 days. In 2009, it took 14 days. In 2014, it was shaped in 11 days. In 2019, Uddhav Thackeray was sworn in after over a month of the election outcomes being declared. We are going to kind a authorities inside 11 days.
Shubhangi Khapre: The Mahayuti unity appears to be fading after the elections. It appears Shinde is miffed and Ajit Pawar is sad.
There’s no unhappiness. The day Shinde grew to become the CM, he knew he needed to go at some point. Who’s everlasting?
Zeeshan Shaikh: With the BJP getting an awesome vote share within the Meeting election, how comfy are you sharing energy with allies?
If you kind a friendship, you don’t weigh it when it comes to revenue and loss. We labored collectively, so we must always share energy collectively. Simply because one is forming the federal government as a result of it’s succesful doesn’t imply one ought to go away mates. Had we bought fewer seats (than the opposite alliances), how would we’ve felt if our mates left us? No occasion will progress with such a pondering. We didn’t suppose like that even in Bihar. If you resolve (to be in an alliance), phrases have some value.
Zeeshan Shaikh: Would the BJP quit the CM place?
The query doesn’t come up as a result of Shinde stated he would abide by no matter choice the Mahayuti and the BJP takes. He has informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah that he wouldn’t be a hindrance in authorities formation.
On BJP ALIGNING WITH UDDHAV THACKERAY’S SENA
Will we ever accomplice with Uddhav Thackeray? Ask me
this query within the subsequent life. He abused Modi and Shah. It
is just not attainable
Mohamed Thaver: Can you make sure that you’ll not make any modifications to the Ladki Bahin Scheme or discontinue it when you come to energy?
The one criterion that may change is said to revenue tax payers. Up to now, a number of tax payers, too, have acquired the payouts however we’ll undergo the info now and take away these not eligible from the listing of beneficiaries. Then, there was little or no time to judge and we couldn’t scrutinise all the appliance types. The Rs 2.5 lakh (each year) standards (of family revenue) will stay.
Sandeep Singh: Will you retain your promise of elevating the scheme’s restrict from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100 for each girl? Considered one of your alliance companions is saying this was Shindeji’s promise.
It can occur 100 per cent. If we don’t increase the quantity from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100, then will probably be proven for instance throughout the nation in all elections that we reneged on our pledge. I’ll write a letter to the CM. Now we have to face true to our phrases and because the chairman of the Maharashtra manifesto committee, I received’t let our manifesto (Sankalp Patra) guarantees be diluted.
Maharashtra pays Rs 59,000 crore as curiosity and we’ve the energy to provide Rs 2,100 per head. I don’t suppose any of my alliance companions are saying this. Sure, the closing date from when the elevated quantity could be disbursed will likely be mentioned, whether or not to extend it in January or July. We carried out the scheme on Bhai Dooj final time, so we might enhance it throughout Bhai Dooj subsequent yr.
Vijay Kumar Yadav: How a lot will the burden enhance from the current Rs 45,000 crore after the scheme quantity is elevated to Rs 2,100?
It is going to be lower than the curiosity we pay. It is going to be lower than the Seventh Pay Fee quantity that we’ve to pay yearly. Why do folks ask these questions in the case of giving cash to ladies? No person questioned when Videocon was given land value Rs 3,000 crore at Rs 30 crore. The Structure directs us to provide you with enabling insurance policies.
Vijay Kumar Yadav: Modi has spoken loads towards distributing rewdis (freebies). Isn’t this opposite to that?
In that case, why would Modiji give Rs 6,000 to farmers? His argument towards freebies is for giving them to a distinct class of individuals, he’s not towards bettering the lifetime of the underprivileged. However why ought to there be free electrical energy for everybody? The PM has a minimum of 170 targetted schemes associated to fuel, bogs, Mudra Yojana, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, Begin-up India, PM Vishwakaran Yojana for individuals who want it. This fashion we are able to all evolve and develop collectively, and shut the rich-poor hole. Inform me, is there another chief who’s working with a purpose in thoughts for 2047? Their manifestoes are bogus and make no sense.
Shubhangi Khapre: Why is there a delay in calling the legislative occasion assembly in BJP?
In contrast to our allies, who’ve their leaders right here, we’re a big nationwide occasion and have to debate internally. Additionally, the Parliament session is happening. The choice will likely be taken two days earlier than the swearing-in. Modiji and Amit Shahji will resolve, I don’t see any obstacles.
Shubhangi Khapre: The BJP and Sena had an equal variety of ministers within the final Cupboard. The BJP had 105 MLAs then. What is going to occur this time?
There’s a distinction this time. We’re all brothers and no one is large or small. All our three leaders will serve the folks and work collectively. The allocation will occur based mostly on numbers.
Shubhangi Khapre: Shinde appears to be okay with giving up the CM’s publish however he’s insisting on the House ministry.
When Amit Shahji heads a gathering, he performs the function of a choose and isn’t there as a celebration chief. He’ll hear everybody out and resolve. I don’t suppose anybody will stay adamant after a call is taken. It’s okay to make a request nevertheless it’s not okay to stay adamant. All of the three leaders love and respect Shahji. Individuals do make requests and Shahji will resolve based mostly on logic. It’s unfaithful that Shinde is insisting on the House Ministry.
Alok Deshpande: In his speech earlier than the election, Shah had stated, “In 2029, there will likely be 100 per cent BJP.” What does that imply?
In 1995, we had an alliance authorities with the Shiv Sena. We had 61 seats they usually had 71. The then BJP state unit chief, Pandurang Fundkar, had then set a goalpost of “Shat pratishat BJP.” Did anybody ask Sena’s Balasaheb Thackeray or Manohar Joshi about that slogan? It’s the identical effort now. Hundred per cent BJP implies that we attain each village, city and distant space for final mile governance and growth. Now even RSS has given a name for reaching out to distant areas.
Mohamed Thaver: A number of leaders like Nitesh Rane have had greater than 20 FIRs towards them. Do you personally approve of the type of statements he made throughout the marketing campaign? What about his feedback on a group?
If Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) makes provocative statements, what ought to be completed? If they’re abusing you and also you don’t reply, folks interpret that in another way immediately.
As for the community-specific reference you point out, he did that after as a result of the group made some statements towards him. It’s not like the complete occasion is commenting on that concern. In addition to, are the speeches by Akbaruddin Owaisi not inflammatory or the Congress’ demeaning of Veer Savarkar not provocative? Each motion has a response within the warmth of the second however you possibly can’t say that the occasion endorses such statements. The opposite aspect additionally wants to vary its language. I perceive if the errant is a small-time employee. However when large leaders name our leaders with inappropriate nicknames, it’s insupportable.
Alok Deshpande: Will you ever accomplice with Uddhav Thackeray?
Ask me this query within the subsequent life. He abused Modi and Shah. It’s not attainable.
Sandeep Singh: How do you view Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray now? Have you ever completed competing with them?
No, I don’t see it that means. For those who settle for each victory with vanity, then you’ll undoubtedly lose. For those who settle for every loss with humility, then you’ll undoubtedly win. We will certainly be respectful. In spite of everything, Pawar (and Thackeray) have additionally supplied some service. I keep in mind assembly Thackeray when he was CM. He acted with humility. I don’t have private grudges towards him.