The old working team appears to have become powerful once again. And you appear to have become the centre point of the party? How did this happen?
I have always been active in the party. Now elections are coming and all of us are trying to do justice to the responsibilities we have been given. The president is utilising the talent and capacities of different leaders in the party. I’m not after power, so there’s no question of being powerful.
What is your mantra for winning the Lok Sabha elections?
The mantra is unity and hard work. After winning Gujarat and Karnataka, we’ve identified that we must have a head-start in preparations, clarity on issues and an aggressive campaign. You are aware that we have identified four issues: inflation, unrest in the agriculture sector, the UPA’s soft approach to terror and the communal agenda of secular parties, which includes the Amarnath land issue.
So you will be playing up the Amarnath issue a lot in your campaign?
If the government can subsidise Haj pilgrims and divert planes, putting people to inconvenience, why can’t it give land to Amarnath shrine board for logistical support. The government is buckling under pressure. I am reminded of the Shah Bano case. The UPA will pay a heavy price for this.
Do you think you have a head start over the UPA, because of infighting in the ruling alliance?
We have identified five points after our experience in Gujarat and Karnataka that will give us a head start. Declare the leader first, declare the candidates first, start early preparations, bring an early manifesto, start the campaign early. We hope to finalise our candidates by August-end.
What lessons have you learnt from your ‘India Shining’ campaign?
Never be overconfident. Different states have different issues. Focus on regional issues as well, come out with supplementary manifestos for states and set up a manifesto committee, which will travel to different parts of the country for feedback. The manifesto will not be imposed from the top.
Uttar Pradesh remains a very weak area for the party. What is the strategy?
The people know that BSP and SP both have personal agendas. These are Lok Sabha elections, neither of these parties can come to power at the Centre. So the BJP has to become a rallying point. Arun Jaitley has been assigned the responsibility. We hope to decide the UP candidates very early, to give them enough time to campaign.
But your leader Mr Advani wished the BSP well in the state?
Our interest is the state’s interest. We stand by that and the fact is that at the national level our main rival is the Congress.