Patna, October 26 (IANS). Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) principal general secretary and one of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s close associates Abdul Bari Siddiqui on Sunday said that there is an election fight between two ideologies in Bihar and the grand alliance is fighting against the communal agenda of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Abdul Bari Siddiqui answered several questions in an exclusive conversation with IANS.
Following are some excerpts from the interview:
Question: This is perhaps the first election in Bihar in which RJD supremo Lalu Yadav is not present. Lalu is a factor, but broadly it is a new team led by Tejashwi. How do you see it?
Answer: Lalu Prasad Yadav is unwell, hence he is not physically present in this election, but his direction, strategy and vision remain the guiding principles for all and will continue to lead the party’s fight against communal forces. Tejashwi has also made his own reputation over the years, but the electoral field mainly revolves around Lalu versus everyone else. All political rivals are afraid of Lalu’s decades of public service, so they are constantly trying to bring him down through malicious and negative campaigns.
Question: It is being said that Abdul Bari Siddiqui is angry with the RJD leadership for not getting proper representation in decision making.
Answer: I am one of the founding members of Rashtriya Janata Dal. I have been with Lalu Yadav for decades and we have worked together to carry forward the vision of Karpoori Thakur. For us, the ideology of the party is bigger than any individual, hence no question of differences or estrangement with anyone arises.
Question: RJD leaders are claiming from the election campaign platform that they will tear down the Waqf Bill as soon as the Tejashwi-led alliance comes to power. What is your opinion on this?
Answer: This election is a battle of ideologies. On one hand, efforts are being made to divide the society on the basis of caste and religion by pitting one community against the other, while on the other hand the Grand Alliance is doing progressive politics and trying to restore communal and social harmony.
The NDA has no report card to show, hence it is resorting to absurd issues to distort the public debate. To hide their failures they are accusing us of being ‘Jungle Raj’.
Question: Mukesh Sahni has been made the Deputy Chief Minister face of the Grand Alliance. Will this send a wrong message to your minority vote bank and harm the alliance’s chances in the elections?
Answer: It is natural for the minority community, including Muslims, to focus on their dignity and security in elections. BJP is not doing politics of development, but is trying to polarize the elections in the name of communalism. Its leaders are saying that they will change the name of Aliganj to Adarshganj. Is this called development-based politics?
Question: How do you rate VIP leader Mukesh Sahni? Can he be a trustworthy leader?
Answer: Mukesh Sahni comes from a backward and ordinary family and is popularly known as ‘Son of Mallah’. Lalu’s ideology of strengthening the backward and deprived is our center, but BJP is trying to divide the elections on religious basis for political gains.
Question: Tejashwi Yadav is being projected as a public leader, but his brother Tej Pratap does not agree with this. What is your reaction?
Answer: When Jannayak Karpoori Thakur became the Chief Minister of Bihar, he implemented a formula of reservation – 12 percent for Annexure-1, 8 percent for Annexure-2, 3 percent for women and 3 percent for poor from upper castes, making a total of 26 percent. When this formula was implemented, many people criticized and cursed him for implementing reservation.
Tejashwi has inherited Lalu Yadav and is trying to fulfill the aspirations of the backward classes. It will take time, but if they continue to carry forward and stick to the ideals and vision of Karpoori Thakur and Lalu Yadav, the public will definitely recognize them as saviors of the people.
Question: Will the Grand Alliance have to pay the price for the delay in ticket allotment and campaigning?
Answer: It takes time for the big parties to finalize the details, but the vision is clear – the Grand Alliance is fighting communal and divisive forces with its ideology of brotherhood and harmony.
Question: UN Biswas told IANS that Congress wanted to save Lalu Prasad Yadav in the fodder scam. What is your opinion?
Answer: I would say that Lalu Yadav was implicated in this case and falsely implicated. This government will also be in trouble after being ousted from power. Corruption has become even more entrenched in today’s governance. No work is getting done.
–IANS
ASH/DKP
