In 2007 and 2012, Rahul Gandhi fought elections alone. How did the Congress reach the conclusion that it should fight the election in an alliance?
As campaigning for the final phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections comes to an end, rival parties play their final hands in Varanasi, which goes to polls on March 8. DNA speaks to Congress General Secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad over the ongoing scenario.
How is the election going for the Congress Party?
I don't think we would not have fought a better election. We have alliances in many states but the way it has worked in UP is different.
In 2007 and 2012, Rahul Gandhi fought elections alone. How did the Congress reach the conclusion that it should fight the election in an alliance?
This time even we wanted to fight elections alone that is why we organised kisan yatras in the state. We had also decided to review the situation in October whether we would be able to fight a good election or not.
Simultaneously, developments took place in SP which created uncertainty for them. We realised that we shouldn't repeat the mistake of Lok Sabha elections. So we decided to create an alliance so that the votes don't get divided. We didn't want this election to become a matter of false prestige. May be this was the reason for SP as well.
But alliance has problems. Gandhi bastion is witnessing friendly fights. Priyanka Gandhi couldn't go because of it?
Priyanka didn't go not because of the friendly fights, but because she was in a different role. There are two areas of campaign. One is physical campaign and another is management. Priyanka was in the management of the campaign like an in charge of ATC. She did a fabulous job.
Are you telling me that Priyanka Gandhi is in charge of the political air traffic control of the Congress Party?
She was involved from the beginning when it came to UP. The decision to either contest from a particular seat or to give it up was taken by her.
Many would say that senior leaders did the work and gave all the credit to Priyanka?
I don't give undue credit to anyone. Priyanka Gandhi did a fabulous job. I don't think I would have been able to devote so much time.
Goal posts in elections changed midway when PM spoke about kabristan and shamshan. But Congress didn't approach Election Commission. Have you changed the goal posts? Like Gujarat?
Our agenda is focused on agriculture, employment and health. It is the PM who moved away from the developmental agenda. Akhilesh has done a good job. The BJP felt that it was not able to match the agenda of the alliance, so they changed horses midstream that is why they will lose the elections. I don't think statements by the PM were appreciated by the majority community. The BJP wanted us to make this an issue that is why we refrained from it. We don't want to mix religion with politics.
There are changes even in Rahul Gandhi. Before 2014 elections one couldn't find him going to temples religiously and regularly. Now he does. Why?
We have no issues with people going to temples or church. We never made any issue of PM going to temples. But we have issue with people talking about things like kabristan and shamshan.
Who is your opponent? BSP or BJP?
Our fight is against parties who have no political principles. Both of them are fighting for second and third position.
Aren't you concerned about BSP? It has given large number of tickets to the minority community?
It is not an issue for us. We aren't BJP. We need both majority and minority.
Is demonetization an issue in UP?
Demonetization was an issue. Whether people voted on the basis of this or not is a different thing. But the fact that they got affected cannot be denied.
Biggest leader of SP, Mulayum Singh Yadav didn't campaign for the alliance? He didn't endorse it politically?
He is supporting us and his silence speaks for it.
This is the last phase. Does it worry you that there is an upsurge of BJP in rural areas?
Our only worry is that they continue to polarise elections.
Are you worried what if no one gets majority in UP. Even PM spoke of it?
PM is devoting three days to his constituency. He did a programme without EC'S permission. There are 40 ministers in this area. Doesn't it show that we are coming to power.
But it could also mean that, BJP wants to fight for every seat?
This is a sign of weakness and not strength.
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 "Ghulam Nabi Azad")
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