A good and mature opposition is in the interest of any democracy. We need a good and credible opposition. The party which is in power and the parties which are in opposition should identify themselves with someone. For example, if we see Modi ji’s work of 9 years, it is about development. Ask the opposition who they support. See their issues. Someone is saying that support me on the issue of ordinance, otherwise I am doing a walkout. There is another old CM who is asking where were you when Article 370 was removed. In such a situation, what message will these people give to the public? Modi ji’s model of development. What about them, some are revelers, some are saboteurs.
You have talked about Revadi politics many times. What is Revadi Politics? The central government is also running free schemes?
There is a lot of difference in this. Giving ration for three times to someone is an emergency measure. The criteria in Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is also economically weaker sections. Revadi politics is that they give you 200 or 300 units of electricity free of cost. Do you have the financing to provide free electricity? If huge fiscal liability is taken, then there is further problem. This is irresponsible politics.
You said that giving free electricity is Revadi politics. In many places women have free travel in buses. Is that too Revadi politics?
If you have the ability, then you give. Like many developed countries, public transport is free there. Because they have resources. See the example of Delhi. DTC used to have 10,000 buses in Delhi. For 6 years we have been hearing that new buses are coming. There were 10 thousand buses, they have come down to less than 3000. Because you are not able to buy buses. DTC has a debt of 71 thousand crores. If there are resources, then people get facilities, it is good. But the model of making everything free is very dangerous.
Can Akali Dal come back with BJP, are any talks going on?
We were in alliance with Akali Dal, they broke it. But after his departure, we were also relieved. Where they have company, it does not sit with our value system. In alliance with them, we did not contest more than 23 seats in Punjab Vidhansabha and have started standing on our own feet ever since parting ways with them.
There has been no change in the price of petrol for the last one year while the prices of crude oil have come down continuously. Can consumers expect quick relief?
For one year, our OMC (Oil Marketing Company) did not allow the price of petrol and diesel to increase. The Prime Minister has reduced the Central Excise twice. OMC incurred a loss of 21 thousand crores in the first six months of the financial year 2022-23 to keep the price stable. It is also a public limited company, and it also has liability. Now for the first time they are not losing.
So will there be relief now?
The prices of petrol and diesel depend on the international price and if the international price remains the same, then obviously its benefit will go to the consumer. When Chidambaram ji was the Finance Minister, it was decided that today there is a problem, float the oil bonds. They floated oil bonds worth Rs 1 lakh 40 thousand and today we have to return Rs 3 lakh 50 thousand crore. We are not doing that. But if the price remains like this for two-three months, then it is clear that its benefit will go to the consumer.
There is a lot of protest against the Delhi ordinance, it is being said that it is an attack on democracy?
They have attacked democracy. All the files were picked up by raiding the room of his Vigilance Secretary at 2:30 in the night. If any party has experience of working with Aam Aadmi Party, then they know that there are many problems with them. Now see that the officials in Delhi who do not follow their directions, their relatives living in Punjab were raided. What would you say about this style? Delhi is not just a union territory, it is also the capital. This ordinance will definitely be passed. People may have political differences but will not take such decisions which lead to sabotage.