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| Edited By: Sudhir Suryawanshi |Source: DNA |Updated: Sep 25, 2014, 06:00 AM IST
Has the seat-sharing issue been resolved? Reportedly NCP is insisting that CM's post should be shared equally if the ruling dispensation comes back to power. When will the differences be ironed out?
SS: These are all speculations. Senior party members are involved in the seat-sharing talks with Congress. They will tackle the issue, but it's difficult to say when it would be resolved. Talks will go on till all issues are resolved. Our leaders will take the final decision. Once the picture is clear over alliance, we will start our campaign.
What will be the main issues in the campaign?
SS: Inflation, for one. During Lok Sabha elections, Narendra Modi had promised that within 100 days inflation would be brought down. It has been almost four months (120 days) now and people are still bogged down by high inflation and cost of living. People were lured with fake promise, we will expose that. We will also emphasis on the development and infrastructural works carried out by the UPA and the state governments. We are here for development. Leaders in the UPA govt were very effective in taking decisions. We are not overconfident, but confident enough that people of Maharashtra will vote us to power for a fourth time.
If NCP is voted to power, would you want to become the first woman CM of the state?
SS: I am not even contesting assembly elections, so there is no question of becoming the CM. I am very happy as an MP. I want to clarify that I am not at all in the race for the CM's post. I do not believe in tokenism and symbolic politics. Mayawati was the CM of Uttar Pradesh, did all issues of UP get resolved? I will campaign for my party in the state polls.
Will Dhangar reservation be a major issue in western Maharashtra? How much will it impact NCP adversely?
SS: This is petty politics. We are here for development and welfare of all castes and communities. Baramati has become the Pandarpur for opposition political rallies. If they genuinely want to resolve issues of the people, why don't they stage dharna in front of Mantralaya or in Delhi? Why are they only targeting Baramati (read Sharad Pawar). These people are harping on anti-Pawar politics to build their political career. It's a big joke and the flip side of politics. However, voters are shrewd. They will not get swayed by drama and politics of pettiness.
Mahadev Jankar, president of Rashtriya Samaj Paksha, gave you sleepless nights during Lok Sabha polls. And your victory margin came down from 3.5 lakh to 70,000; what went wrong?
SS: No one has given me sleepless nights. Only my voters can do that. My victory margin came down because of in-fighting. Also, urban voters (Pune area) were swayed by Modi's campaign.
You have been very tactfully defending your brother, deputy CM Ajit Pawar, after his controversial comments. Why is Ajit Pawar being targeted?
SS: For media, Ajit's face sells, and therefore the opposition targets him. Every one loves to throw stones at a mango tree, not barren trees. For these people, Ajit is a mango tree. Actually, he is a man of development: a very effective administrator and someone who takes decisions fast. He can take the state in the path of progress.
You have been running girl emancipation (Yuvati Melavas) campaign for the last three years and there has been overwhelming response to it. But positive response failed to convert into votes for NCP in Lok Sabha polls, why?
SS: Yuvati Melavas may not have helped us get votes, but it changed many a girl's life. It's a positive change in politics, we must accept that. We created social change through it. Because of our campaign and confidence-buildings rallies, many young girls joined the party. In Jalgaon district, a 25-year-old girl, an active member of the group, became the Sarpanch of her village. Ajit dada allotted Rs 5cr as development fund to her village. NCP and Sharad Pawar saheb always bat for development of women. It was he who introduced 50% reservation for women in various sectors. We are fortunate we have such visionary leaders.
Moreover, because of this campaign, the gender ratio (male: female) has changed drastically. It's a good sign, and a big achievement. As a party, we are giving maximum opportunity to young girls and women. Even during ticket distribution (state polls), they will get a significant share.
Does Sharad Pawar or Ajit Pawar consult you during political crisis or seek your advice?
SS: Our leaders are experienced people. They are capable of taking decisions. They do not like children to interfere in their affairs. Even I do not give them unsolicited advice.
How is technology changing politics?
SS: The social media has changed the entire campaign style. We are new to this technology, but are accepting change, and implementing it as well. We now have to use the electronic media effectively to reach out to people. Social media is equally important. We are making our presence felt on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp.
How do you rate Congress-NCP government's performance?
SS: The state government committed a few mistakes, but overall it did a good job by undertaking various developmental projects. People should therefore vote for development, and not fake promises. People have realized that by voting Modi to power they have made a mistake, and in state polls they will rectify that mistake.
What are the mistakes the state government committed?
SS: May be it could have prevented so many rapes taking place by social awareness campaigns and by providing security to women. Our manifesto will focus more on women safety and we will strive hard to carry it out.
