Exclusive: Kejriwal is a 'habitual liar', all options open for govt formation- Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay
New Delhi: Satish Upadhyay, the newly appointed Delhi BJP president, may be a lightweight in BJP compared to his predecessors but he has a clear vision on how to achieve his objectives as party president.
Q: Coming to government formation in Delhi, can you let us know whether it's true that BJP is going to form government in the state?
Satish Upadhyay: It's not a question that concerns BJP only. Delhi is facing numerous problems because today there is no government in place in the state. All development works have come to a standstill for various reasons including EC's model code of conduct on account of elections. There are problems like power, water, unauthorized colonies etc. These problems are not to be solved by the central government. A perception is being created that nothing is being done after Modi government took over the reins of power at the Centre. This is being done by those who ran way from shouldering responsibilities. The person who became CM developed greed and he thought that the CM chair can catapult him into 7 Race Course Road. His greed created a mess in Delhi. It's because of AAP and Congress that Delhi today is finding itself in a complete mess.
As far as BJP is concerned, there should be an elected government in Delhi. We are not afraid of elections. We are also willing to go for fresh elections because we can give a good CM to Delhi who will work for the welfare of Delhites.
A second question is – do we have the option of forming a government? You have seen how a Congress MLA Asif Khan has released a video that shows how AAP is trying to split the Congress MLAs. Kejriwal is trying all these from behind the scenes. I always say that Kejriwal is playing all the roles – actor, director and scriptwriter. He plays these tricks through posters, SMSes, FM radio etc.
As for the question of BJP forming the govt, there is no such scenario under present circumstances. If such a situation arises and the L-G asks us to form the government, it will be our moral responsibility because we are the largest party. And let me tell you one thing, MLAs of all parties including BJP, Congress and AAP don't want elections. Even people of Delhi don't want elections because they are not in favour of putting burden of frequent election expenditure on the people of the state. People of Delhi don't want elections; they want solution to their problems.
Therefore, if any such opportunity comes at our doors then we'll evaluate it after discussing it with our MLAs, MPs and senior leaders. Today we don't have required support in assembly but if anybody extends support then we'll take a call as to whether we should form the government or not.
Q: Don't you think there is an obvious contradiction between your previous and present stands? Earlier when Modi govt was not formed, you told the L-G that you don't have numbers to form the government. Now you are saying that you are open to exploring possibilities of forming a government.
Satish Upadhyay: There is no contradiction. When we refused, Kejriwal had formed the government. We thought that Congress and Kejriwal will run the government. Things keep changing with times and circumstances. There is no question of any double standard on this. Many leaders told me that Dr Harsh Vardhan is of the opinion that fresh elections should be held in Delhi. His viewpoint is important. We'll take into account everybody's opinion including our MLAs and pulse of Delhi. And then we'll take a decision.
Q: Your opponents have another charge. They say that you won all 7 Lok Sabha seats of Delhi because you had the advantage of Narendra Modi's face in general elections. Now since the assembly elections will be fought on local issues, you don't have the confidence of facing elections given the prevailing scenario in Delhi and that's why you are trying your best to form a government.
Satish Upadhyay: This is totally incorrect. People of Delhi are feeling relieved after Modi ji became PM and gave a Rs 700 crore package to improvise water and power conditions. We will get advantage of Modi ji's image anyways. We are not afraid of going into elections. Given the fact that we wiped out Congress and AAP in Delhi by 7-0, I can assure you that we'll get a sizable majority in Delhi assembly and we'll give a good government.
Q: You set a new standard in 2014 elections. You said Modi will be your PM and you got the advantage of his image. Who will be your leader if elections are held for Delhi assembly?
Satish Upadhyay: The leader will be decided as per democratic norms after due consultation with MLAs and senior leaders. You will get a leader who understands the pulse of Delhi and who would deliver good governance.
Modi's example can't be replicated in every state. Every state has its own specific circumstances. We are yet to do homework on this. After we do the proper homework, a suitable face, who understands the metro mindset and problems of Delhi, will come forward.