UP Elections 2017: Police stations shouldn't be HQ of a political party, says Amit Shah

As Uttar Pradesh moves closer to the end of the Assembly elections, all eyes are on Amit Shah, an outsider who delivered the state for the BJP in spectacular fashion. Now, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi positions himself in a similar vein, the BJP National President opens up about the party's approach and hopes in the state that holds the key to the BJP's total dominance in Parliament via the Rajya Sabha. Edited excerpts from an interview to DNA Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary:

Lets start with the latest controversy. In this election, the situation has come down to the level where graveyards and crematoria are being talked about in public speeches for votes.

These issues are not being raised for votes, but to highlight the plight of the people in the state. It is to highlight how a state government practises selective development only to please its vote bank. If the ruling government will indulge in selective practices (trushtikaran), issues will be raised.

Are you saying Prime Minister Modi was compelled to raise this issue?

He raised several other issues as well. This is just one of them. Recently, TV channels highlighted how much money is being given to farmers and how much is being given away for graveyards. In every UP village, there is discrimination. These are issues that the public is facing which are being highlighted by us.

Dont you think the PM's statement of electricty during Diwali versus electricity during Ramzaan is an attempt to give a communal colour to the elections?

First you tell me, should power not be given equally on both the occasions? It should be, right? But that is not the case. Those who are indulging in such practices are communal, not those who are highlighting it.

Amitji, who do you consider your main opponent, the SP-Congress alliance or BSP?

I feel that the fight now is not between first and second. The BSP is also doing very well. The coalition, however, is lagging behind.

Would you actually want the BSP to do well?

It makes no difference what we want. Eventually, the party that the people want will emerge as winner

I am backing my argument based on newspaper cuttings, which claim that 14 per cent of the BJP's candidates are tainted, with serious criminal charges against them. The BJP perhaps has the highest number of tainted candidates.

In UP, even if you fight block elections, you'll have six cases filed against you. This is a fashion in UP politics. This is the reason we want to appeal to the people here to vote for the BJP. Police stations should not be the headquarters of a political party, but a place meant to protect people.

Amitji, isn't it true that when you contest against the Congress, you win, but whenever you contest against regional parties, you lose?

This is not true. We have fought regional parties in many states like Haryana and Assam too.

Has this coalition added to your problems or has it eased them out?

I feel it has made things easier. In 103 seats, the Congrees does not have a cadre and the SP cadre is not working for a Congress candidate. And if a coalition is fighting without a plan for 103 seats, I doubt it will do well.

Your base voters are considered to be traders, and there was a perception that they were hurt badly by demonitization.

Traders in UP are most hurt due to the bad law and order situation in the state. Thirteen traders have been murdered in UP just during this election period.

The BSP has a vote bank of Dalits and Muslims. The SP has a vote bank of Yadavs and Muslims. What is the BJP's vote bank?

These kinds of vote banks do not last for long. In our manifesto, we have announced policies for farmers, such as easy loans, and therefore we expect them to be our voters. We have announced numerous policies for the youth in terms of education and jobs, and therefore they are our vote bank. Similarly, we have announced policies for women's safety, and special police stations and courts for them, and therefore women are my voters. Also, I have numerous plans to improve the law and order situation in UP. Therefore, the whole of UP is my vote bank.

You have incorporated the issue of Ram Mandir on the 20th page of your 24-page manifesto. Also, you have passed it off saying it's an important cultural monument and we would find ways to have it built. It is one of your old promises, but it has now been reduced to being just a point in your manifesto.

The BJP has maintained that the only way out to have a Ram mandir is either through a court order or mutual consent. And we will continue to stand by it.

You are talking of communalism. Out of 403 seats in UP, you have not given a ticket to a single Muslim candidate. UP has a 19% Muslim population. Yet, you couldn't find a single Muslim face?

We give tickets on the basis of ability, not caste or religion.

There are 130 seats that are considered minority-dominated seats and are crucial to form government . How would you manage without these seats?

We have successfully formed the government in UP twice in the past. In 2014, under the same combination, we won 73 out of 80 seats.

What about the other states going for elections?

In Uttrakhand, Goa and UP, we are surely getting a thumping majority. Punjab is a three-corner fight and therefore no one can really say much. Manipur, however, is the last to go for elections and the picture there will get clearer with time.

Do you feel that a day will come when Muslims will start voting for the BJP?

We do get some Muslim votes. We are confident that when voting will be no longer be on the basis of caste and religion, we will get votes from all communities.