In an exclusive interview with Zee News' Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke about a number of issues including, the upcoming Bihar elections, the controversy surrounding Sushant Singh Rajput's death and the media trial that followed, which eventually led to the unearthing of the TRP scam.
In an exclusive interview to Zee News Editor-in-chief Sudhir Chaudhary, Honourable Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke about a number of issues including, the upcoming Bihar elections and Lok Janshakti Party chief Chirag Paswan's position, the controversy surrounding Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death and the media trial that followed, which eventually led to the unearthing of the TRP scam. Other crucial topics that were discussed were the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing lockdown, the India-China standoff at Line of Actual Control and China's stance on Arunachal Pradesh.
When Mr Chaudhary asked the Home Minister about the NDA's position in the upcoming Assembly Elections in Bihar, he said, "In 2015, we were in a good position and now our position has only improved. Our seats in the Assembly had risen and the vote percentage had also increased. But since the social equation was not in our favour in 2015, we lost the elections, while the social equation of the JDU-RJD and the rest of the front proved stronger than us. But this time, the social equation is on our side." He was quick to add, "After the first term of the Narendra Modi government, in the next one-and-a-half years, we have faced coronavirus and have successfully dispelled the concerns of 60 crore poor people of the country. Because of the lockdown, the daily wagers were rendered jobless, however, the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ensured free of cost grains from March to Chhath Puja (November) to every household. Money was deposited in the Jan Dhan accounts of women, Rs 6,000 was deposited in every farmer's bank account, specially-abled and old people were also given money. What I mean is, be it small-scale or large-scale industries, poor or rich, PM Modi gave a universal package and this has had a great impact on a state like Bihar."
The Bihar government has also done a very good job. The state government arranged for quarantine facilities for migrant labourers, arranged for their food and compensated them with Rs 1,000 after their quarantine period was over. Today, Bihar's recovery rate at around 94% is one of the best in the country. With Modiji leading from the Centre and NDA led by Nitish ji in Bihar, both have done a tremendous job in the times of Coronavirus and this has brought the social equation in our favour, he said.
When asked about if the LJP is with the BJP in the upcoming Bihar elections, the Honourable Home Minister made it amply clear that the LJP is not a part of the NDA in the Bihar elections. "In the Bihar elections, BJP, JD(U), HAM and VIP parties are contesting under the leadership of Shri Nitish Kumar and Modiji is leading the NDA at the national level, and that is the reality. Bihar is one of the most politically conscious state in the country and nothing can be hidden from the people. Modiji will visit Bihar, I will visit, BJP National President will visit and clear all confusions. The NDA is contesting the polls in Bihar under the Nitish ji's leadership and LJP is no where there."
When asked if he feels LJP chief Chirag Paswan is getting a little too ambitious, Amit Shah said, "Whether he is ambitious or not, I have no right to comment, but I must say that on behalf of the NDA, the BJP was in talks with him, Naddaji and I had both had talks with him. We had offered enough seats to him, but he didn't listen and broke the alliance. So, as far as Bihar polls are concerned, LJP is not a part of our alliance."
Speaking on house arrest of political leaders of Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, Amit Shah said, "We had to take this step in Kashmir after the statement 'rivers of blood will flow'." On the possibility of President's rule in West Bengal, he expressed concern and said that official machinery is broke in every aspect. "We are in opposition in West Bengal and we are struggling. Our workers are being killed...the situation is a cause of concern. There is no democracy in West Bengal," said Amit Shah.
On Shashi Tharoor's latest statement praising Pakistan at a literature fest, he poohpoohed the Congress leadership. He said, "Praising Pakistan is an old habit of the Congress."
The Honourable Union Minister also spoke about the TRP scam and said that media needs to be balanced. "News is news, not a marketing gimmick", he said. On being asked whether Sushant Singh Rajput's death has become a political issue in the Bihar Assembly election, Amit Shah said some people might vote keeping in mind the sentiments attached. He further said that he is surprised why the Maharashtra government wasn't willing to handover the case to the CBI despite a demand by the family and controversies surrounding the case.
When asked that NCB, the AIIMS board and CBI are all under the central government and whether there were any pressure tactics used, the Union Home Minister clearly denied it and said that the question of the government directing these independent organisations doesn't arise.
Moving to questions of national security, particularly the Sino-India border row, the Home Minister denied the possibility of a two-front war and said that talks through diplomatic channels will help in ending the stand-off. He also added that the Narendra Modi-led government is committed to the security of the country.
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