Ready to play any role given by the party: Chhagan Bhujbal

It is once again testing time for public works department minister and senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal in Nashik Lok Sabha constituency. Bhujbal, 66, has been pitted against Hemant Godse, who recently left the MNS to join Shiv Sena. In an interview with dna's Sudhir Suryawanshi, Bhujbal speaks about various issues ranging development to caste.

What are the challenges you are facing in Nashik? Is there any anti-incumbency factor or Modi wave?
There is neither anti-incumbency factor nor the so called Modi wave in our constituency. My nephew Sameer Bhujbal had done slew of infrastructure projects, including development of international airport at Ozar (Nashik), roads, construction of hospitals and interlinking of various rivers. I am confident that the voters will give priority to development rather than trifle politics. My victory is sure. We are only working and concentrating to increase the margin of the victory. Besides, we have undertaken several infrastructure projects which we have to complete them in next five years. These works includes development of university campus, trains connections, more hospitals etc.

Initially, there were reports that you were reluctant to contest the Lok Sabha polls, but deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar compelled you to contest. What was the reason?
No one had forced me to contest the Lok Sabha polls. And, I am not the person who will succumb to any pressure. It was my conscious decision. And my party also wanted that I should play major role at senior level. It was media creation that I was reluctant to contest the Lok Sabha polls. I am very much happy with my candidature.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar said that he is no more in Lok Sabha, so senior leader like Bhujbal has to step in. What is your take?
Pawar saheb may have said this, but fact remains that in Lok Sabha, there are other senior and experienced NCP leaders like Prafull Patel and Supriya Sule. I have to work with them. We have to work together to fill up the void of Pawar saheb in Lok Sabha. I alone cannot do anything.

If the NCP gets a majority in the assembly elections, will you come back to play the CM's role?
Surely, I am ready to play any role given by the party. I have to work as per the party's decision. I cannot disobey the party order.

Your name is always dragged into controversy for some or other reasons, why?
The allegations levelled against me are totally ludicrous. Not a single allegation has been proved yet. There are some people who deliberately want to malign mine and my family image. And, the media is also equally responsible for it. It gives publicity to such people who are expertise in making baseless allegations and remaining in news. Once the media stops giving them publicity, the allegations will also ebb down gradually.

Why cannot you file defamation case against these people?
Do you think that I should leave the campaigning work and run to police stations and courts to pursue the cases against these people. Now, my priority is campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections. Once the election is over, I will pursue the pending cases.

Will the Maratha caste card politics will be played against you? And, allegation against you is that you had displaced several Maratha leaders in Nashik?
I do not believe in caste politics. I believe in development politics. I am here for development. The voters of Nashik are aware about this. Voters will succumb to such caste issues.

Will the toll issue raised by MNS and BJP will go against you?
Toll issue is not only in Maharashtra, but it is in our BJP run neighbouring states also – Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Opposition BJP should first understand the issue, after that they can speak about it. They first stop charging toll in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, then raise it in Maharashtra. If we do not pay toll charges, how will we develop the roads in state?

Do you face any threat from the AAP?
Not at all. They are trying their best to convince the voters and I am trying my best. No harm in that. Let them do their work.

How do you see Sena candidate Hemant Godse who has pitched against you?
Godse is a good man. But people will cast their vote to Bhujbal only. Reason: they want development and progress in Nashik. Once the infrastructure has been laid down, then industry will automatically come to Nashik because development in Mumbai and Pune had reached the saturation point. Nashik has huge potential to develop and progress.