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 Pramod Mahajan’s untimely death resulting in BJP leaders’ twin rath yatras being abandoned midway, his secretary death due to overdose of narcotic drugs while son Rahul too being found to be addicted to drugs, BJP is jumping from one crisis to another. Its Gujarat unit kicked off controversy by opposing Fanaa on frivolous ground even as the party tried to put its foot in the mouth by opposing the same Office of Profit Bill at the Centre, which they have already passed in Jharkhand. We put all such uncomfortable questions to the BJP joint secretary,
Syed Shahnawaz Hussain who is also member of Central Election Committee and the aplomb with which he fielded them why he became the youngest ever Union Minister - at the age of 30, when most people are initiated to the politics. Here are some experts from the interview –
Q- Do you support your Gujarat leaders’ decision to ban screening of Fanaa in the state?
A- BJP is not opposed to the film. We believe in freedom of expression. We are actually Amir’s admirers. So much so that after seeing his Mangal Pande, one of our leaders Sudhanshu Mittal decided to put on similar handle bar moustache. We never opposed his moustache, his dress or his dance. We opposed his undesired meddling in political affairs without knowing the background.
Q- So, you feel they went against party’s official stand?
A- Actually, it all boiled down to upholding pride of the state. Has Amir Khan ever seen a dam, has he ever felt the pain of thirst for water and power. It is all right to sit in plush air conditioned houses and make a point but before raising fingers at Narmada dam he should have gone to the spot, seen the rehabilitation work himself. He just got sucked into Medha Patkar’s web who has crossed all limits in opposing the dam.
Q- Why is the BJP opposing Office of Profit Bill at the Centre while it has passed a similar bill in Jharkhand recently?
A- The government has prepared the bill in undue haste. Basically, we are opposed to the manner in which Jaya Bachchan was forced to quit Rajya Sabha. The Election Commission, President and the court, all gave their verdicts on her immediately. But why are they not disqualifying the 54 MPs being covered under OOP Bill, with same alacrity. Why is their treatment different for Somnath Chaterjee from that for Jaya Bachchan.
Q- But, when you pass a similar bill in Jharkhand, what moral right do you have in opposing it at the Center?
Ans- Our stand at the Centre is solely guided by the treatment meted out by this government to Jaya Bachchan. Jharkhand Bill is a state subject. But, if it comes to taking a decision, we are ready to even sacrifice our state government.
Q- How much damage you feel has Pramod Mahajan’s demise has caused to the party?
A- The media has created impression that no Mahajan no BJP. But it’s not true. No doubt, he was a very big leader. He had his own place and his own importance in the party. When Deen Dayal Upadhyay died, we couldn’t get his substitute. But, we vowed to follow his principles and we are still doing that. Similarly, no body can fill the void caused due to death of great leaders like Kushabhau Thakre and Sunder Singh Bhandari. Yet, their principles are coming handy for the party. There is no dearth of leaders in the BJP. Rather we have a whole galaxy of young and energetic leaders. They will contribute to the party like Pramodji dued to.
Q- How much damage has the Rahul Mahajan drug episode inflicted on the BJP?
A- He is not a member of the BJP. He never was. Why do people link him with the party. We were merely son of one of our general secretaries. Drug abuse is a personal matter of the family, why do you drag the party into it. He had been invited over lunch during party’s national executive recently because a large number of leaders coming from far flung areas wanted to pay their tributes to Pramodji by meeting his family members.
Q- Bibek Moitra, now found to be addicted to drugs, was Pramod’s personal assistance for over 10 years. He was with him even when he was a Minister in the Vajpayee cabinet. How could a Minister have a drug addict as his PA?
A- Sometimes even Ministers don’t know habits of their personal staff. How can they be blamed if one of his staff steals something or sleeps with somebody else’s wife? Yet, it is under investigation whether Moitra died due to a conspiracy or due to an accident.
Q- But, doesn’t even this dent party’s image?
A- It’s indeed a very tough time for the party. It had to pass acid test almost on daily basis. We are kind of facing a trial for no fault of ours. Several important leaders recently left the party. Even Atalji has expressed concern over the issue. Then our electoral performances in some states have not been at par with our expectations. But, Vajpayeeji has also hoped that Rajnath will take everyone along. The party has always emerged stronger whenever it came across a crisis. I believe that we are able of transforming crisis into an opportunity.
Q- Your graph in UP is on the downslide in U.P. where elections are due in six months. What is the BJP doing to salvage the situation?
A- It’s indeed a bid challenge before the party. We are also concerned over the turn of events there. But our party chief Rajnath Singh hails from U.P, and I am confident that under his leadership and clean image, party is capable of turning the table on our rivals. It not necessary that a centurion batsman like Virendra Sehwag should hit a century in his next inning as well. He might get out on a zero as well, But, then he not thrown out of the team because everyone knows that it’s a matter of time and he will definitely hit a century in near future.
Q- How much influence does RSS wield on the BJP? Has it increased after Rajnath took over as President?
A- We look towards RSS for ideology and guidance but it does not mean a day-to-day interference in our internal matters. If they notice slightest of deviations from the ideology they immediately try to correct it. And our rivals are trumpeting this as BJP being remote controlled by the RSS.
Q- What steps are you taking to dispel the notion that BJP is anti-minorities?
A- Minorities too are as much citizen of this country as anyone else. Nobody should doubt their integrity and commitment to the country. If they wanted they could have very well gone to Pakistan during Partition. But the fact majority of them stayed back prove their loyalty to the country. So they don’t need certificate for their patriotism from anyone now. RSS pracharak Indrasenji has done a lot to bring the minority community closer to the BJP. I too am working in this direction. My life’s aim is to have Hindu-Muslim integration.
Q- How potent a threat is Islamic terrorism?
A- India never was a part of Islamic Terrorism. Some Kashmiris might have been misguided by Pakistan and taken up arms but not a single Indian Muslim has been a member of Al Qayda. Indian Muslims are basically peace-loving community. They can get a better country to live and better neighbour than Hindus. That is why they are in conflict with Christians much more than they are with Hindus. Muslims should avoid being hurting Hindu sentiments.
Q- Have Muslims been used as a vote bank by political parties?
A- Yes, political parties have been raising sentimental issues like Ram Temple and cow slaughter time and again to evoke Muslim sentiments. Darul-uloom Deoband has done a good job by banning cow slaughter. I completely agree with them. Is it necessary to have beef? Does any religion make it compulsory to eat beef? Nobody will die if he stops taking beef?
Q- How do you see pro-minority parties like AUDF and PDF?
Ans- Kerala has already rejected Muslim League but Communist Parties have treated it with utter respect. These so-called pro-Muslim parties are a dangerous trend. They are part of a well-orchestrated strategy to alienate Muslims from national mainstream. Even Election Commission prohibits assembling people on religious lines. It is against all social norms as well. EC should not recognise AUDF because it is fanning religious intolerance and fanaticism.
Q- How should Muslim youth position themselves?
Ans- Muslim Youth should be proud of the fact that they are born in India and enjoying religious and social freedom. They are not afraid of anyone. If they were born in places like Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan or even France and Turkey, they would have been living in constant fear of USA but not in India. They enjoy maximum freedom and respect here. We are much better placed than Hindu Minorities in Pakistan.
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