Udayavani Interview: Disunity within BJP? What did the state president say?

Bengaluru: BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra refuted claims of disunity within the party leaders in the Legislative Assembly.  “There is no lack of coordination among us. Since the day the House started, we have held discussions with the Leader of the Opposition R Ashok, and senior leaders,” he said.

Speaking in an interview with “Udayavani”, Vijayendra refuted the speculations that there were two factions within the party.  “There is no confusion and no faction in the party,” he added.

Here are excerpts from the interview:

Don’t you think the protest against Zameer Ahmed was in vain? Couldn’t it have been possible to bind the government in a more astute manner within the scope of the regulations?

No. The protest is not in vain. Zameer’s statement is very inexcusable. What does he mean by saying ‘We have made BJP to salaam (salute)’? Such talk cannot be expected in a democratic system. This is a gross insult to the speaker’s position. Therefore, we had discussed it with the senior MLAs before the session started and decided to bring it up on Monday. Accordingly, we have recorded our objections the House. There is no question of failure. There is no lack of compatibility.

For a whole day, the BJP wasted time in the well of the House. Couldn’t the government have been put in a quandary if the notice had been issued as per the rules?

Even though we had given notice as per the rules, the government was employing every tactic to protect Zameer. Can we expect Siddaramaiah to sack Zameer Ahmed Khan from the cabinet for his wrongdoings? Although notice was given as per rule 69, the Speaker did not allow discussion. So we registered our protest by boycotting Zameer’s answer. This struggle will continue outside the House.

Do you agree that the quality of non-partisan proceedings is declining? Compared to the Congress, isn’t there a lack of parliamentary procedure and study in the BJP?

All those interested in parliamentary democracy say that the quality of debate is declining. We have a large number of first-time representatives in the House. But everyone has the hunger to become a good MLA. So they are working hard and studying to improve their presentation skills. We will see progress in the coming days.

BJP has called for a massive protest while the proceedings are going on. Will there be a discussion about this in the legislative party meeting as well?

Never in history have the farmers been treated so unfairly as is being done by the present government.  Siddaramaiah is trying to keep himself safe by shifting all the blame on the central government. Is there any government that has completely relied on the central government for drought relief? Although there is enough money in the collector’s account, not a single Paisa is being spent (on farmers). ‘Annadaata’ is in tears. But, they (the government) are pouring money into poorly conceived projects. We have condemned all this and called for a massive protest. About 25 to 30 thousand people will voluntarily participate in the protest. Our workers are being attacked across the state. Is it possible to endure all this and let it be? Therefore, it is necessary for us to fight to whip the government into shape.

What about the preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections? What is your goal?

Preparations for the Lok Sabha elections have already started. The candidate selection process has also started. We are planning for a 100 percent strike rate! I did not just say that we will win 28 out of 28 constituencies. People are disillusioned with the Congress government within six months of it coming to power. The alliance with JDS is also beneficial. Congress leaders who were saying that the BJP may not win seven or eight seats, are now afraid.

It is being discussed that a lack of coordination and a lapse in information exchange between leaders made the protest carried out by the BJP in the Zameer issue ineffective. Was there a lack of compatibility?

There is no question of failure. As an opposition, we fought the fight very honestly. But this government has the pride of winning with a strong majority in 135 seats. Thus, any struggle of the opposition is not being taken seriously. From the day the House convened, we participated in discussions with Leader of Opposition Ashok and senior leaders. We don’t have a lack of compatibility. At that moment, there could be confusion due to a lapse in information exchange, otherwise, we are all united.

Isn’t it said that a faction has been created in the party after the election of Ashok as the leader of the opposition and you as the state president?

There is no confusion, no faction within the party. We are a party with internal democracy where (differing) opinions are allowed. Party workers and MLAs are excited after both our appointments. We will certainly win more seats than Congress in the Lok Sabha elections.