Unlike Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi doesn't lust for power, says Sachin Pilot

Minister of corporate affairs Sachin Pilot, who was in Mumbai on Monday to attend an event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries speaks to dna about the Gujarat chief minister’s ambitions, dynastic politics and UPA’s corruption woes.

What is your take on BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and his ideology?
What Modi thinks and what he says are two different things. He talks about economic development and governance, yet on the other hand, he is polarising society. See what is happening in UP, and what (Modi’s key aide) Amit Shah is doing. India has moved forward from the “mandir-masjid” debate of the 1989-90s, but Modi and the BJP are still stuck in the same mindset.

Youngsters want roads, colleges and better job opportunities. We have been in power for nine years now. We are sure of winning because of our developmental work, and the stable government we have provided.

How do you rate Modi’s “Gujarat Model” of development?
Modi is very good at marketing and projections, but if you look at the rate of malnutrition, number of deaths, and condition of minorities, the scene is different. If you travel across Gujarat, the state is not as rosy as the media projects. Haryana has done much better in every human-development index on per capita value. At the national level, Modi will not be able to attain whatever he had promised his party.

Do you think Modi would be a decisive factor in the upcoming elections?
In 2009, BJP had announced LK Advani as their prime ministerial candidate. It helped us to increase our tally from 156 to 206 seats and we came into power. This time, they have placed their bet on Modi. We will certainly get more mileage from this.

Then, why is Congress shying away from declaring its prime ministerial candidate?
It is not a presidential election. Mr Rahul Gandhi will lead the party in the polls; this is absolutely clear. He is not a person who is lusting to become a minister or the Prime Minister. It is only BJP leaders, including Mr Modi, who are desperate to be in a position of power and will do everything to grab it. Our vice-president (Gandhi) doesn’t need projection like Modi does.

Then why don’t you announce Rahul Gandhi’s name?
Our parliamentary party will decide the leader once Congress wins the polls. But Mr Gandhi is our leader. He will lead from the front in the 2014 polls. He has all the capabilities to keep this country strong, united and forward-looking.

Every single Congress leader mentions Gandhi’s role as the prime minister. Why is there consensus on dynastic politics within the party?
Did you notice that for last 24 years no one from the Nehru-Gandhi family has held the prime minister’s post? So, there is no question of dynastic rule in the party. Besides, Sonia was offered the post of prime minister but she refused it.

Does this mean that Rahul Gandhi has a chance of becoming the prime minister if UPA wins the mandate?
It is up to the party to decide. However, Mr Gandhi is the only person who can transcend the north-south divide. How many votes can Mr Modi get in Kerala, Assam or Jammu & Kashmir, I don’t know. Rahul symbolises all of India, not one part or section of the country.

UPA-II has been marred with large-scale corruption and scams. Do you think it will affect the poll results?
We have never been in denial. When things came up, people who were involved in the scams were charge-sheeted and prosecuted, irrespective of their party. So, we didn’t shy away from taking action. But, we have also given the right to information and that’s why all these things came out.

How many seats are you expecting Congress to win this time?
We are going to form a UPA-III government next year.