Randeep Surjewala discusses about the state of Haryana politics.
Randeep Surjewala, Head of the Communications department of the Congress spoke to WION/DNA about political situation in Haryana. He said that Congress should not have any tie-up with any party including BSP. He also said that he would like to re-contest from his assembly constituency indicating that he would like to go back to his home state Haryana. Importantly, Randeep expressed his disappointment at the state of affairs in Haryana Congress. He said non-constitution of various committees has led to sluggishness in the party. He said that Congress as an organization has miles to travel in the state
Q: How do you evaluate Haryana’s Chief Minister ML Khattar’s performance?
A: His performance has been a zero-sum game. BJP wants to destroy societal harmony in Haryana. Haryana has witnessed caste based riots consistently for 3 years. Haryana for the first time is also witnessing communal polarization in the belt surrounding Delhi which has a minority population. He promised crores of investment but nothing much happened on the ground. The inefficiency is best illustrated by the paper leak in Haryana Staff Selection Commission exam.
Q: If Haryana is so important why has Congress not done anything organizationally? Most of the positions are vacant? The state does not have an in-charge and basic committees are not formed?
A: I must admit that in Haryana, when it comes to the organisation, we will have to travel miles. Non constitution of the Block Congress Committees and District Committees and Sub Committees has led to disappointment among the Congress workers. It has led to sluggishness in organizational activities. Most of the Congress leaders, former CM, myself, Kumari Selja and others have tried to make up for the lack of organizationally hierarchy by organizing public rallies across the state. We have tried to bridge the lack of an organizational hierarchy with active political activity.
Q: Why has that happened? You are talking about individual effort
A: I cannot answer this question because neither I’m the PCC President nor in charge of the state. It should be addressed to those in the organizational hierarchy.
Q: The image of the Congress suffered when non-Jat communities were targeted in Haryana. What has the party done to correct the image?
A: People have seen through the game plan of the incumbent BJP government in Haryana. Congress workers and leaders reached out to the various sections of the community. It was the Khattar government which did not take action against those who were part of the riots. There was an agenda to malign the Congress leaders. We are organizing empowerment meetings with various sections of the society . Congress Party’s vision of the future and the work we have done in past will tide over the caste tensions which has accentuated in past three years.
Q: Name of a close aide of the former CM of the party also cropped up?
A: BJP led a malicious campaign to tie many leaders to riots. My question is that if Congress leaders were involved in the riots, why have they not been charge sheeted? We not in power. It is BJP which is running the state. The aide mentioned in the interview was exonerated by the police itself.
Q: Is there a possibility of tie-up with smaller parties in Haryana in the Congress? With BSP or other smaller parties?
A: I don’t want to pre guess the position, Congress would take at the national level as it is yet to be decided. In Haryana, Congress is capable of fighting elections and does not require any coalition with any political party including the BSP. We believe that poorer section and the Schedule Caste section has a direct affiliation and faith in the Congress Party which is far more than either BSP or any other party. Congress must go alone in the state assembly elections in Haryana.
Q: Who is the CM candidate?
A: It will be decided by the Congress legislators and the leadership of the party. Many people may aspire and may have ambition, Congress Party is higher than them. If every Congress leaders work self-lessly without thinking about post, then no one can stop us from coming to power.
Q: Have you thought of going back to Haryana politics?
A: Ultimately it would depend on the party but I would like to recontest the next assembly elections as my constituents elected me during the most challenging times when Congress lost from Sirsa to Kalka in the state. My margin of victory was higher than 2009. When Congress forms the government, people of the area should be able to reap the rewards of the development. I would like to re-contest from the seat of Kaithal again.
Q: If you get the opportunity to become the CM of the state?
A: Everyone has an ambition but such ambitions and aspirations should be subservient to the larger interest of the Congress Party in the state.
Q: What is the agenda of the Congress in the state?
A: There is no administration in Haryana. Haryana lacks efficient distribution of water in the state. Industry also needs to be given new impetus. Khattar transferred two of the units of Maruti from Haryana to Gujarat. It has led to loss of jobs. We will need to get more industries in the state. Even urban development requires fresh focus as many cities do not even have proper drainage system. Lastly, law and order has become a major issue as organized gangs are ruling the roost in the state. Gang rapes are common in the state which makes us very infamous and all this needs to be changed.
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 "Randeep Surjewala")
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