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| Edited By: Sanjay Jog |Source: DNA |Updated: Jun 22, 2017, 08:23 AM IST
Union Minister and veteran BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu rubbished criticism that Ram Nath Kovind was chosen for being a Dalit and said Congress shouldn’t contest the Presidential election for the sake of it. He also blamed Opposition, especially Congress, for instigating the agitation launched by farmers across the country.
In an exclusive interview with Sanjay Jog, Venkaiah Naidu said the government is swears by development and will continue to work in that direction.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q: Some parties have said Ram Nath Kovind has been chosen for being a Dalit. How do you react?
A: These charges are meaningless. BJP has a highest number of MPs from the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes and highest number of women MPs.
Kovind is a parliamentarian, former SC advocate, worked as standing council for the Government of India in 1977. He is articulate, sober and has been the BJP’s Dalit Morcha president thrice. He is chosen because of his abilities, communication skills and his knowledge.
Q: Opposition says BJP never shared any name during your talks. What is your take?
A: Keeping the new spirit of democracy, the government reached out to Opposition unlike the past during Pratibha Patil’s election the Congress decided the candidate and later informed us. But we asked their suggestions and made a request.
They asked about the names. If we would have gone with the name then they would have told us that you have already decided the name what is there to consult? What we followed was a proper method according to us.
Kovind meets all the expectations of Opposition. They wanted a non-controversial, non-hardcore leader. I don’t see any reason for Opposition to contest the election unless they want to contest for the sake of it. It is left to them, I cannot question it as they are independent parties.
Q: Is Kovind chosen with an eye on Gujarat assembly poll and the 2019 Lok Sabha Election, particularly UP?
A: We don’t agree. UP elections are over where BJP has won.
Q: Do you expect Congress to extend support or decide to field its own nominee?
A: In general elections, I can understand you lose or win. But the Presidential election is apolitical. He is a constitutional head. I don’t find any reason to oppose Kovind’s candidature especially when Opposition doesn’t have numbers. Already some parties including Congress party’s friends have already declared support to Kovind. I don’t find any reason for Congress to contest this election. Though in democracy they have every right, they don't want to give credit to BJP nominee getting unanimously elected.
Q: There is farmers outrage in various parts of the country. How the government is serious to address the distress in agriculture?
A: The government has taken a number of steps. I agree the structural and policy changes are required to address the issues faced by the agriculture sector.
Is it on account of this govt? It is a long-pending issue. The agriculture was neglected for long. Congress must explain what is that they have done. Congress in particular wants to exploit the situation.
There is some unhappiness among the farmers as they produced more but there are no takers due to market fluctuations. That made farmers restive and the anti-social elements led by Congress have entered the movement and created violence. Is bandh a solution?
Opposition, particularly the Congress is depressed. We have one D, that is development and they have a three D programme – disrupt, disinform and defame Modi.
Q: How GST will transform India's taxation?
A: Economic integration is taking place in the history of India first time. We are one nation one tax that is the wish of the people. GST will bring a revolutionary transformation of taxation system. GST will reduce delay, harassment and corruption and the prices will be brought down. Ultimate benefit will be to the consumers. The country is ready some are saying not ready. The date has been finalized and no question of going back.
