UP Elections 2017: I don't believe in polarising politics, says Rajnath Singh

Ahead of the fourth phase voting in Uttar Pradesh on February 23, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh talks about Assembly elections 2017, Parliament logjam and PM Modi in an exclusive interview with DNA.

What is your political assessment of Uttar Pradesh?

BJP will get full majority in UP.

It is believed that RLD did a good job in the first phase.

I don't believe this. We will also got a substantial chunk of Jat votes.

BJP changed goalposts in the middle of the elections — from development to cremation ground. Why did this happen?

People should not misinterpret the statement of the Prime Minister. What the PM meant was that there shouldn't be any discrimination on the basis of caste and creed on an individual basis. He was speaking against vote bank politics and implementation of policies on the basis of captive votes. You don't do politics to come to power.

Do you believe that the SP discriminated on the basis of religion on the issue of subsidy?

The SP has always believed in the divide and rule policy. Even the BSP does it. They say this community votes for us but this is the language which we can never use.

The Opposition has accused you of polarising politics.

I'm opposed to polarisation. It is injurious to this country. I don't believe in such politics.

The PM has been attacked up, close and personal in these elections. Leaders are targeting each other at a personal level. What do you think?

People should be careful of the words they use. The PM is an institution and which should be respected. The consequences of such politics can be grave.

The PM is being projected as an outsider in the SP-Congress campaign.

The PM belongs to the country.

Akhilesh Yadav has made certain personal remarks about the PM. What will you say to that?

It is very unfortunate. If I would have been in his place and said something like that, I would have withdrawn my statement.

How is the SP-Congress alliance coming along?

Minus plus minus will be zero. Two weak elements have come together to fight. The alliance will have no impact on the Uttar Pradesh elections.

The Parliament has stopped functioning. What is the reason?

It has to be taken very seriously. We have made all the efforts. People should come together and talk. We have tried our best to get the Opposition to talk to us. We did our bit.

What about the current log jam?

This can only be explained by the Opposition, not us.

Is it because of the fact that the Congress has failed to accept that the BJP has full majority?

I think they have not been able to reconcile to our massive victory in 2014 elections.

The House ended on the raincoat controversy. Where does Parliament go from here?

They should understand that PM actually praised the Manmohan Singh but it should also not be forgotten that it was Manmohan Singh who called demonetization the biggest organized loot. Was he referring to the Prime Minister Modi? On the basis of same interpretation, we should have got very angry as he was calling our PM lootera and criminal. No one blamed Manmohan Singh for corruption.

How do you assess Rahul Gandhi as a leader? Opposition leaders play important role in democratic set ups.

I wish Rahul Gandhi best of luck that he emerges as a seasoned, dynamic, visionary and a mature leader. He has my aashirwaad.

Who is your opponent in Uttar Pradesh?

It is a mixed bag. There are areas in which SP is fighting us and in some areas SP-Congress alliance is giving fight.

What makes BJP a player after 15 years in UP?

I know the reason but will not share it. What I can say is that BJP's credibility has increased. People believe that BJP commits itself to word and deed. They find no difference between the word and the deed. There are no corruption charges against leaders in this government. Economy is doing well. All of this has helped us.

How come not a single Muslim got a ticket from BJP. You earlier said that BJP believes in sabka saath sabka vikas?

This is right. People get tickets on the basis of strength. But we will remember this in future that Muslims should get tickets in Uttar Pradesh. MJ Akbar and Naqvi are there in Centre. There have been instances that people have been accommodated in the states from upper houses but It would have been better if there would have been Muslim candidates.

Even your critics consider to be in the inheritor of Atal Bihari Vajpaye's style of politics? Your comments?

I can never ever forget Vajpaye. He influenced me. I would say that people like me cannot become Vajpaye. He was god gifted. Despite not being in active politics, people still clap for him.

You worked with both Modi and Vajpaye. What is the difference between them?

It would be unfair to compare Modi with Vajpaye. Both leaders have different qualities. They have different working styles. Each is unique and different so one cannot cross evaluate?

How do you define your relationship with the PM. Once you were compatriots?

I have a very good relationship with the PM. Our relationship has not changed but now he is my Prime Minister. We have to work within the norms. He is our Prime Minister and I'm mindful of it but our relationship remains the same.

How will the results in Uttar Pradesh impact UP elections?

It is a big state and that is the reason why it will have an impact. But issues are different. State level elections are on the local issues. National issues have a limited impact in the state.

Is demonetization an issue?

I get feedback. It is a major achievement on part of our government. People suffered but did not question the intentions of the Prime Minister which in itself is important.

Is MHA prepared for the summers in Valley? Situation last time was bad?

Kashmir should normalize and we are trying our best to do so. I would add that this is not the first time valley has seen a situation like this. Similar situation has been witnessed in the past where lot of people have been affected but It is unfortunate. We want political parties to cooperate.

We have seen that security operations are being hampered in the valley which is a new development. How do you see it?

There are forces which are creating problems and we need to identity them and do something about it. We need to think about it.

Yashwant Sinha, your former colleague and senior BJP leader has openly spoken about talks with Kashmirirs. Your comment?

I have gone to Kashmir thrice. I'm open to talk within the Kashmiriyat, Jhamoriyat and Insaniyat. It is not the fault of the government that these people didn't come.

Has surgical strike changed anything for you?

Things have changed. It has raised the morale of the Army. Terrorists are being killed on daily basis which never happened before. The surgical strike has held us in good stead.

Why are you raising the issue of Pakistan and surgical strike during rallies?

Every Indian has a sense of pride which is known as national pride. That is why people responded to me with the feeling that this government protects national interest.

How can this be turned into an electoral issue when you are calling it a national issue?

Governments are formed through elections and development is not the only goal. The responsibility of the government entails national pride and national security.

You have taken a tough stand on Pakistan?

I also mentioned that Pakistan is our neighbour. We called all on swearing in ceremony.

But you also said that you weren't keen to go to Pakistan?

I thought that SAARC would be a formal affair and wanted MOS to go. Then I realised that there was a campaign organized against India and people were shouting anti India slogans and those leading the crowd were terror leaders, I decided to go. I said what I wanted to. Blunt speak.

Then why is MHA shying away from declaring Pakistan a terrorist state?

We don't want to take any decision in hurry. We are a global village. Terrorism is a challenge for the world. We want other countries to cooperate with us. PM has taken many nations on board.

You said world is a global village but your biggest neighbour China on Hafiz Saeed sides with Pakistan?

Even Pakistan's defence minister has spoken. It is a good signal. But decisive step is required. House arrest will not do. When I say decisive step I mean that some action needs to be taken. Law must take its own course. House arrest is just a fake step. More needs to be done law must catch up and this eye wash cannot continue.