BJP doesn't pursue dynasty politics: Poonam Mahajan

The member of parliament from Mumbai (North central) Poonam Mahajan has recently been appointed as the national president of the BJP's youth wing. With the new responsibilities, the daughter of firebrand leader late Pramod Mahajan, seeks to take government's initiatives such as 'cashless economy' to the last mile. Excerpts of her interview with Kanchan Srivastava:

What would be your focus areas as the head of the Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha?

This is India's decade and dream of every Indian matters. As the largest political party with more than 11 crore members, we would like to tap energy of every Indian youth before it converts into volcano. For next elections, we would ensure participation of every youth in electoral process. The government is doing fantastic job which has to be taken to the last mile. If there is anger in public about any issue, it needs to be communicated to the government. Besides, we would aggressively campaign for cashless transactions. Every member of the youth wing has been directed to train at least 10 people in his/her area about UPI, e-wallet.

Contrary to your suggestions about engaging the people with the positive two way communication, a recent book "I am troll" written by the journalist Swati Chaturvedi gives account of a former social media team member of the BJP Sadhvi Khosla. Khosla claimed it was the BJP's IT cell which led the aggressive online campaign against the actor Aamir Khan to remove him as the brand ambassador of Snapdeal.

I have never heard the name of Sadhvi Khosla. Books are anyway personal account of the writer. But surely, BJP can't be indulging in such dirty game.

Have you realised people's anger post demonetization?

I have been speaking to people and got very good response from them. I have not seen any anger among people. They believe in the leadership of the PM which is clear from the results of civic polls in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Chandigarh.

BJP has failed to deliver on its main poll promises such as price rise, Rs 15 lakh to peoples' accounts and jobs. People are unable to see anything on these issues.

Modi ji had never said anything regarding Rs 15 lakh. Party has already clarified it. So, lets not discuss about it. He had promised to bring down black money and he is working on it through SIT. This is the country of 125 crore people. Indian economy was sluggish for so long. Modi ji is taking hardcore policy decisions, not the populist ones.

These are the long term measures. But people have to live in the present.

Crysil report says infrastructure projects are on the right track and are also creating jobs. Skill India and Start-up India are opening new avenues and creating job opportunities. Mudra bank is giving loans for small businesses without mortgage. This year, monsoon has been fantastic and so has sowing. Prices of essential commodities are expected to come under control in the coming year. We have taken farmers out of the clutches of APMC and connected them with consumers. We want farmers to decide the price of their produce.

Have you seen farmers dumping vegetables on roads in Punjab as they failed to get the production cost?

That is because of overproduction of some crops. We need to work on export policy. Its work in progress.

After demonetization, people are expecting some 'good news' in the budget 2017. What suggestions have you given to the Finance Minister?

Even I am expecting positive news. As the member of finance committee, I had given some suggestions but can't disclose them now. These are related to income tax rebates and changes in tax slabs. Some suggestions are specific to Mumbai.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has attacked PM on the issues of demonetization and personal corruption.

His statements are like a circus tamasha. Rahul ji is a good person, but he is in a wrong profession,. This happens when your parents push you in a profession which you don't like. Then disasters like this happen.

On one hand BJP mocks Congress for its dynasty politics, but follows the same by bringing in people like you.

When my father passed away in 2006, he was the BJP's general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP. Instead of sending me to Rajya Sabha which was a common practice in other parties, I was asked to work in Maharashtra as general secretary of youth wing. In 2009, I unsuccessfully contested my first Assembly election which was not my father's constituency. After four years of hard work, I was elevated as the vice president of the youth wing and was asked to work in Kerala, Karnataka and Assam. These were not my comfort zones. From 2013 onward, I worked in Amit Shah's team. I had gone through a grind. Hence, it is unfair to say that BJP pursues dynasty politics. How do you relate Poonam Mahajan to Pramod Mahajan except that I am his daughter? Being his daughter is a blessing and gave me the opportunity to begin, but it is my hard work takes me forward.

What challenges will BJP face in the upcoming BMC polls especially because its in the power at the Centre, State and corporation?

I don't see BMC poll as any challenge. We have to reach out to people and tell them about our good work and seek votes for betterment. Mumbai metropolitan area contributes 25 per cent of the direct taxes in the country. If Mumbai doesn't prosper, country will not prosper.

What is the biggest mantra of your father?

No body is bigger than the organisation. When you start thinking otherwise, your end is near.