Defence Minister Rajnath Singh talks about the security situation, political issues dominating the current elections and the BJP government’s performance in a freewheeling discussion at the ET Political Roundtable. Excerpts:
On the assessment of elections in the first two phases.
As per the assessment, it appears that we will achieve the target of 400 seats. Looking at the atmosphere across the country and the response of the masses and the survey agencies which are working for us, we are confident that we will achieve our target.
On voting percentage being a worrying factor for BJP.
Lower voting percentage is not a concern for us but should be for the opposition. People want Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lead the nation again. He has raised the stature of India at the global level which has filled people with a sense of pride. Many international agencies have said India is the fastest growing economy and would be the third-largest economy. People understand all this. Then, the various schemes of the Modi government like providing houses, gas cylinders and free ration – the common man has benefited a lot under this government. Bringing 25 crore people out of poverty, I think is the biggest achievement of independent India.
On the Congress manifesto and the BJP terming it as a Muslim league manifesto.
Politics should be based on justice and humanity not appeasement, that’s what BJP believes in. I see the entire Congress manifesto is based on appeasement. Confidence should develop in people that there is no discrimination in this country based on caste and religion. Our attempt is that such sense should prevail among the common masses.
On NRC not being included in the BJP manifesto.
If it is being implemented, then no one should have any objection to it. And it is not necessary that everything should be in the manifesto.
On the Congress manifesto promising to scrap the Agniveer scheme.
There is no question of scrapping it. Under this scheme, when an 18-year-old youth joins the forces and completes his term he will get the intermediate certificate and a skill certificate. There are provisions of reservations for them in paramilitary forces, other sectors and also many industries have announced to give them jobs. We are making efforts to get them placed in private sectors as well. Attempts have been made to politicise this scheme. Issues related to national security should not be politicised. If we feel some improvements are required, we will consider it. You would agree that there should be a youthful profile in the armed forces.
On Congress’ claims that BJP will change the constitution.
There is no question of changing the basic structure of the constitution. See what BJP’s senior leadership, what we all are saying and believe in that only.
On BJP’s charge that if Congress comes to power, it will grab mangalsutras and distribute all wealth among Muslims.
The Congress manifesto is raising different kinds of doubts among masses. Whereas our government has not discriminated based on caste, creed and religion and will not do so. You tell me one scheme which discriminates based on caste and religion. You can see what Congress has done in the last 50 years and because of that what is its strength in the Lok Sabha.
On the charge that Congress is thinking of reservation in the armed forces.
It was the recommendation of the Sachar Committee. I don’t speak without facts. It was fiercely opposed by Army chief Gen JJ Singh. Why were such things done when Congress was in power? Is appeasement policy necessary for winning elections? Can elections be fought on issues of national interest, issues related to the masses, steps necessary for strengthening society. Congress ruled with a clear majority in India for so long after independence but it didn’t develop harmony in society for the sake of vote bank politics. Congress garnered votes by infusing a sense of fear while we say that there should be a sense of pride among the masses.
On communal tones in political discourse.
No, it should not be there, but Congress is solely responsible for such a tone in the political discourse. Congress maintained this tone for 50 years so that distances are maintained in society on a communal basis and on the basis of it the Congress remained in power. BJP never tried to lower the standard of political discourse in the country. But the way the opposition tries to create a sense of fear and confusion among people, we try to make them aware about it.
On how BJP will perform in the South and whether NDA will achieve the 400-target.
We will achieve our target. BJP will get more than 350 seats. In the South, we will do unexpectedly well. Recently, I visited Kerala and I have never seen such a crowd at BJP’s rally and their response. This time, we will get seats in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and in Andhra Pradesh, where BJP is in alliance with TDP. In Karnataka, we will get a good number of seats. In Telangana, we got four last time, this time we might touch ten. I am not forecasting how many seats the party will get from the South.
On how Pakistan has not become an issue ahead of Lok Sabha polls.
Terrorism has vanished this time. Barring one or two incidents once or twice in several months, terrorism has vanished.
On the situation on LAC with China and whether India is changing its approach
We are not changing our approach…we want good relations with all our neighbours. Atal ji used to say that you change friends, but you cannot change your neighbours. Talks are progressive and satisfactory. In those talks, we are firmly putting up our position.
On the perception that ED/CBI are being used for political motives
Why have they (opposition leaders facing charges) not got any relief from courts? If the ED or CBI did something wrong, they would have got that relief. We have nothing to do with it. The courts ruled against us in the Electoral Bonds case. If we are influencing the courts, how has the judgement come against us?
On leaders joining the BJP and getting a clean chit on past cases.
Why are they protesting now? When these leaders were in their party (opposition), they used to say the charges are wrong and are being wrongly blamed. What they were saying then must have been right.
Personal view on electoral bonds.
The SC has given its judgement and I don’t want to say more. The idea was to minimise and stop black money. But as the judgement has come I don’t want to comment. We will see how to move ahead on this.
On questions about EVMs
It has become very clear that there is no scope of manipulation when it comes to EVMs. It is well established that they are credible.
On political discourse over Agniveer and other defence-related issues
Defence-related issues that can have an adverse impact on the motivation of our soldiers should not be politicised. Wars are not just fought with weapons, they are fought with passion and motivation.
On elections in Kashmir and the security situation
The final decision will be with the EC but we do want the polls to take place. The security situation is comfortable to hold elections. In terms of data (security data), I would say we are 95% there.
The campaign heated up in the second phase.
This is because there has been some discussion on the election manifesto. Manmohan Singh is a good person and I respect him. But he spoke at a meeting where he specifically mentions Muslims. I was the party president then and I remember reacting to it.
Impact of Russia-Ukraine war on supplies of spares and maintenance of weapon systems
We did not face any major difficulties. There is no matter of concern. We did not find anything challenging.
Israel war impact
We are doing manufacturing in our own country. We do not see any deficiency at the moment. If there was a problem our forces would have raised the issue. We are undertaking manufacturing worth over ₹1 lakh crore. We are also supplying (arms) to other nations. We just exported missiles to the Philippines. We have exports worth ₹ 21,000 crore (last year) and this will increase substantially in the coming days.
On UCC implementation
The model is ready in Uttarakhand. The process will be taken forward by the Home ministry.
Any issues on co-ordination between the RSS and BJP and representation of the body in government.
The RSS is not a political organisation, it is a social cultural organisation. They are doing their work well. Mohan Bhagwat has expressed that there should be no discrimination among people on the basis of a Hindu-Muslim line.
On Punjab and the Sikh vote
I have never had any doubts on the Sikh community when it comes to national integrity and pride. Wherever there has been a question on national unity, the Sikhs have played a very major role. They have a major contribution towards protecting Indian culture.
On inheritance tax
It should totally not happen. Social justice will come by providing opportunities to people, instead of taking away the wealth of others. We have to give opportunities to people. Like the schemes we have for street vendors and the Lakhpati didi scheme.
Text: Manu Pubby/Jatin Takkar
