Rajasthan Assembly Elections 2018: My speech was taken out of context, says Congress leader CP Joshi

Congress leader CP Joshi, who has been in the eye of the storm after his controversial Brahmin remark, in an interview with DNA sheds light on his part of the story. A video of Joshi saying "only Brahmins know enough to talk about Hinduism" went viral. Edited excerpts:

One of your videos shot during campaigning has gone viral. What do you have to say about it.

I think that making an issue by taking things out of context is a big threat to democracy. There is no issue in what I said. Watch the entire speech to find out. A 30-second clip from the speech was torn out of context and assigned meaning where there was none. In its report, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has looked at the entire video. They have cleared my speech after going through the original context.

Was it a conspiracy against you?

All I am saying is that this is unfortunate. In this country, efforts are being made to change people's opinion by spreading misinformation. You can see how such distortion turned into such a big issue at the national level.

Why did you seek an apology then?

There is a line of discipline that all party workers have to toe. When the national president of the party had asked for an apology, my duty dictates that I obey him.

What do you think are the pressing issues that this assembly constituency (Nathdwara) is facing?

I am a four-time MLA from Nathdwara and I have worked a lot for its development. Now, I am contesting the Assembly elections after 10 years. Here people believe in me and they will maintain that faith.

We had planned Bagheri Ka Naka project to solve the problem of drinking water in the rural areas of Nathdwara. Then, I came to know that in the last ten years, this scheme hasn't been taken up. I will start the work on this plan so that every village and hamlet can get water to drink.

After Kalyan Singh, the BJP has fielded Mahesh Pratap Singh against you. What is your view on him?

The BJP is a big party. This is a national party. I don't know what the BJP thinks about him (Singh), he is not a decent worker.

Are you in the race to become the next chief minister?

When I was the PCC chief, I was given the task of bringing Congress government in Rajasthan. I carried out mu duties; Congress formed the government in the state. I do the job that the party gives me. Similarly, my next role is dependent on the decision of the party's top leadership.