Generational change underway in Congress; would love to work for Madhya Pradesh: Jyotiraditya Scindia

What lessons did the Congress learn from its 2014 debacle?

I don’t want to look at the past but invest in the future. There are many lessons to be learnt but the party, people and country has moved on in the last three years. Congress has been raising issues of tolerance and secularism, we are concerned about the economy, foreign policy and these issues are finding resonance in the public domain. It is important for us to continue to raise these issues and become an alternative to the BJP. It’s hard work and we are ready for it.
 
There are a number of debates which have dominated the political landscape. How has Congress responded to the Secularism vs Nationalism debate?
There cannot be secularism vs nationalism. It is nationalism and secularism and Congress stands for both. We want a safe environment for people of all caste and creed. These are the two pillars which Congress has always stood for. The optics have been changed to this vs that scenario. It is the divisive agenda of BJP. Every class needs to progress across the spectrum. Composite dialogue is the key word and it empowered India across all faiths. The schemes once ridiculed by Mr Modi today are being touted as the biggest successes of India.
 
Are you saying that the charge of equating secular with sectional politics is a false construct? A political charge?
It is not a political attack on Congress. It is a political attack on the nation’s fabric. Have you ever heard of ghar wapsi, gau rakshak, love jihad or prosecuting people for what is not even beef? I have seen hundreds of cows at night being run over by trucks and no gau rakshak was to be seen.
  
Many would argue that nationalism is being relocated from a constitutional axis to a civilizational axis
We breathe nationalism and we don’t need a gurukul to teach us nationalism. We don’t need to be taught nationalism. It has always been India first for us.
 
Are you saying that nationalism has turned into a political tool?
Absolutely. When have you such words. The members of the ruling dispensation today are eulogizing Nathuram Godse and calling him rashtra bhakta. This should be of tremendous concern to the youth.
 
Where does the Congress stand today? Is it Left of Centre or Centre?
Congress has been very clear as to where it stands. Congress stands for all round development. India has to be an ocean of prosperity rather than becoming pockets of prosperity. If you look at the 10-year track record of UPA, we gave welfare schemes like NREGA but also provided a great growth rate. This transformed India into a 2 trillion economy. We created macro growth and also lifted poor out of the vicious circle of poverty. That’s what Congress stands for.
 
Does Congress stand for reforms?
Absolutely. It is not one or the other, it is both. We are a reformist party. We have to focus on the downtrodden. There cannot be a ‘vs’ here. We directed economic growth to sectors like health, agriculture and infrastructure.
 
Are you saying that subsidy architecture and growth can be complementary?
You have to bring the downtrodden into the mainstream of Indian society. That is the only way India can progress. More and more people need to become part of the middle class.
 
On one end Congress closely coordinates its work with the Left and even supports them, and on the other Rahul Gandhi is visiting temples which showcases his identity. How do you reconcile the two?
Our country is built of people with diverse thoughts. Today a leader needs to listen to what everyone is saying. It exposes and brings to forth true leadership. You and he may agree to disagree but he will still listen to you. It is not my way or the highway which is currently the ideology of Narendra Modi.
 
Why has it taken Congress so much time to affect a generational change?
I think, in many ways generational change is in process. I came into politics when I was 31 years old. It is my fourth term. The party made me a minister when UPA was in power. Now I’m the Chief Whip. We should also give back to the party, it cannot be a one-way street. We need able leaders in the party.
 
BJP changed its leadership in the first 2 years and Congress took more than 7 years?
Senior leaders of BJP are in the margdarshak mandal and sidelined. I don’t agree with the construct of old and new. Old might have great ideas and young might be bereft of any. Age cannot be a factor in politics. Ability to change matters.
 
Is Rahul Gandhi’s elevation imminent?
Rahul Gandhi will be elevated in the next couple of days.
 
What role will Sonia Gandhi play then?
Sonia Gandhi will continue to be the head of UPA and our guiding light. We will look for her direction and guidance.
 
What is one particular area you feel that the Modi government has failed?
According to me, the Modi administration has failed across the board. Foreign policy has not worked, look at the 'sari shawl diplomacy'. Look at the number of Army camps which have been attacked by the terrorists. The rhetoric needs to be changed. Cross border strikes took place even during UPA's time. But see what Indira Gandhi achieved. We have dealt severe blows to Pakistan in the past.
Then there is an atmosphere of intolerance in context of caste and religion. BJP has taken an anti-national stand on many issues. Unemployment is very high and jobs have not been created. Across all fundamental areas, there is a huge chasm between the talk and the walk. Madhya Pradesh has seen 124 suicides.
 
Last time when Congress hit the campaign trail on the farmers issue in MP, Rahul went abroad and you fronted the campaign..
He has been active all the way throughout. He is the one who raised the issue of farmers land and because of his intervention the land acquisition bill got stalled.
 
Demonetization did not affect assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh. Do you think issues related to GST will work against BJP in states like MP and Gujarat?
It is not one issue. Pain has been afflicted across the board. All these issues are in play together. GST is our baby. The difference between success and failure lies in execution. Only one percent is ideation. That has caused the pain. That is why the revenue secretary said that GST system needs to be revamped. Both were held as virtues last year and now it is causing great pain. Sales are down across the sector.
 
Are you open to the idea of leading the campaign in Madhya Pradesh? But you have a career here?
I want to clarify that for the last 15 years I have been working in Madhya Pradesh. In any given month, I have spent 15 days in Madhya Pradesh. MP has gone through a backward movement. It pains me. I’m a loyal worker of the Congress. Whatever the party will decide, I will try do it to the best of my ability.
 
Where does your heart lies? Given a chance would you like to go back?
I would love to work for the people of Madhya Pradesh.
 
Why has Congress failed so many times in MP?
I don’t want to dwell in the past. There have been multiple reasons for it, but today Congress is in a strong position. We need to work together in Madhya Pradesh. We have great talent and leaders. We have strong elected grassroot workers. This team needs to come together. If we come together then I see no reason why we cannot win in MP.
 
You said that you would love to go back and work in MP, but people say that leaders in MP don’t get together and that is probably the reason why Congress has been losing elections. Did you feel it in the last campaign?
I think that in last 13 years, much more could have been done by me and others but now that scenario has changed. All of us have been working together and you will see the results.
 
It is said that Jyotiraditya Scindia​ has the traction, Digvijaya Singh has the organisation and Kamal Nath has got the money muscle?
I think that in life it is very important to draw on everyone’s strength. Kamal Nath ji has great experience. Digvijaya Singh has been two term CM. These are the strengths which we need work on.
 
Do regional alliances work for the Congress?
You cannot make a general broad statement. Indian politics has changed so much. It has changed in every aspect. It has to be seen on a state to state basis. In a majority of states we have a direct fight. Some states have triangular fights. But Congress in the state elections must get its act together and throw up new leadership.
  
The social media landscape has changed. Do new trends show a renewed Congress?
Only way you can gauge traction is the way you get a response from the political opponent. The government positioned all its spokespersons against Rahul Gandhi and it explains how well we are doing on social media and otherwise.
 
The Bofors case has been reopened? Your comments?
Let the BJP and government try whatever trick they have in their dirty tricks department. We are extremely clear that there was no wrongdoing and we stand by it. This is political vendetta.