Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh has thrown his hat in the electoral arena after a self-imposed hiatus of 16 years to defeat forces out to destroy social fabric of the country. Amidst a hectic routine, including pada yatra and public meetings, The Free Press Journal talked to him on a wide range of issues.
Q: Now only two phase of polling is left. How do you see the going so far?
A: The scenario is akin to 2004. UPA will certainly form the government.
Q: BJP has been claiming that Congress lacks a prime ministerial face?
A: In 2004, too BJP had claimed that Atal will return to power as Congress lacks a face. But after elections, Congress named Manmohan Singh as PM. He led the UPA government for 10 years without hiccup.
Q: Why Congress failed to stitch an alliance this time?
A: Several parties with same ideology are in the fray. After results, all these parties will come together to form a government. In 2004, all parties fought against each other and after result came together to form UPA government.
Q: BJP has termed you anti-development. They claim that no development took place during your tenure as chief minister?
A: BJP is an expert at creating confusion. During Chief Ministers’ meeting, the then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was from the BJP, had thrice praised my work on watershed mission, power reforms and district government. It is all on record. Anyone can check it. Besides, several works undertaken during BJP rule in MP were based on policies framed during my tenure as CM. A government is responsible for framing policy and its implementation.
Q: You were the first to demand Rahul Gandhi’s elevation as Congress president. You were the first the first to seek Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s initiation in politics. Do you think that Congress will lead government formation this time or will have to support some other alliance?
A: We are trying to ensure that Congress get a majority. Even if that is not the case, Congress will emerge as the largest party. I feel that Congress will again lead UPA govt.
Q: BJP has fielded Sadhvi Pragya Thakur against you. Should a person accused of terrorism be fielded as party candidate?
A: It is BJP’s prerogative. Only they can explain the reason. They felt that she was the best person to contest from this seat or may be they failed to find any other face.
Q: You have kept mum even as Pragya has been hurling allegations against you.
A: No case was filed against Pragya Thakur during my chief ministership. She has spoken about the torture she underwent during incarceration. If that is the case then it is wrong. The law should look into it. Those who tortured her should be booked and brought to justice. I don’t want to contest elections by passing comments on anyone.
Q: How do you see Congress performance in MP?
A: Congress won two seats in the last elections. It went up to three after by-election. I am sure that this time we will win 14 to 16 seats. In assembly polls, I expected 126 to 132 seats. However, results in Vindhya region and Mandsaur seats were not as per my expectation.
Q: Why development issue has taken a back seat this time?
A: BJP has derailed development as an issue in this election. In 2014, PM Narendra Modi raised development plank as a major issue. In 2019, he is talking only about Hindu-Muslim and Pakistan. He speaks lies and does nothing.
Q: You were Chief Minister for 10 years. What is your vision for Bhopal?
A: My priority is to make Bhopal a global city. Equal importance will be accorded to education, health and employment.
