We are with BJP and we will stay with them: Sharad Yadav

Amid the controversy about heated speeches by the leader of their ally party BJP, Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav speaks to Swati Chaturvedi on Zeenews.com’s “Kahiye Janab” about the strength of their alliance and whether he would join Third Front.Swati: Being a firm believer in Constitutional values and secularism what do you have to say about the statements of the leaders of your ally BJP (over Varun Gandhi’s comments)? Yadav: BJP and our party are two different parties. We are together on the national agenda that was decided during Vajpayee’s regime. JD(U) has nothing to do with everything that BJP says. We have different opinions on various matters. Swati: There are two big issues in our politics -- communalism and corruption. To isolate BJP, parties like Left and Congress call themselves secular. NDA has also made a common minimum program. But the kind of language that has been used by Varun Gandhi has prompted the Election Commission to say that he should not contest the election. Yet BJP is fielding and defending him as its candidate. What do you have to say about it? Why is the JD(U) a secular party, with the BJP? Yadav: There are many issues that the BJP raises, like Section 370 issue, Ram Temple issue, etc, which we do not agree with, and then there are other issues which we raise and the BJP does not agree with it. But I can give you many other examples of the same type of comments (by other parties) that you were referring to. I have always criticised and disagreed with them. What I believe is that the Election Commission and all Constitutional institutions should work together at the time of elections. In the cases of violations of code of conduct, court’s judgement and interference have done no good. Swati: In Bihar, where you have formed government with BJP, houses crores of Muslims. What message will it send across to them? Yadav: We know the number of people in this vast country…..we do not divide them on the basis of religion or caste. We are secular……secularism is our religion. Swati: The kind of language which is being used by Varun Gandhi has also been used by other parties to arouse communal resentment across the nation. You have been in politics for decades, can you tell us why there is so much of intolerance? Yadav: There are many forces that are coming into existence. Our democracy is just 60-year-old. And we had opposed the Babri demolition and called for communal harmony at that time. Swati: You are considered to be a chauvinist. Yadav: We are for 50% women reservation. We gave 50% seats to female candidates from backward and upper castes. We are the biggest feminists. Swati: What do you think are going to be the key issues in this election between UPA and NDA? Yadav: We have same issues for many years like corruption, which deprives poor of their share of money. Land allocation to SEZs (Special Economic Zones) to produce products to be exported to Europe and US, thus bringing down our traditional production and making many people unemployed here. Indo-US nuclear deal which was done just to please US. Swati: In this election what we are witnessing is the lust for power. BJD quit NDA after 13 years, considering its low chances of coming back to power whereas Uma Bharti is returning to BJP. As a seasoned politician, how do you look at it? Yadav: Being in politics every party wants power. We are in power in Bihar but we never allowed MNCs to set up their business in the state and always worked for the welfare of the downtrodden. NDA has lost just one ally but UPA has lost allies in Bihar, Jharkhand, UP and Tamil Nadu (RJD, LJP, SP and PMK). Swati: Advani lost his sleep when you met Yechuri. Would you be with BJP after election? Yadav: Sitaram Yechuri, AB Bardhan and Prakash Karat they are all my friends. I have worked with them in the past. But BJP knows me very well. I have friends in BJP as well like Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj. Swati: Are Lalu and Mulayam going to be your new friends? Yadav: They were in my party when we worked hard to make our own party the biggest. They didn’t part ways on principles but because they wanted to make a party of their own. You better ask them why they split away from Janata Dal and whether they want to unite again or not. Swati: If UPA or NDA fail to get the numbers, can we expect BJP, JD (U), SP and RJD to come together? Yadav: We are working to secure majority. We have made some pre-poll alliances and we will make some post-poll alliances as well. Swati: The way RJD left Congress, are you going to do the same with BJP? Yadav: When UPA claimed to clean sweep in Bihar, there was a stampede in their allies. I would like to comment only after it stops. We are with BJP and we will stay with them and take decisions together. Swati: You denied ticket to George Fernandes and Digvijay Singh. On the other hand, BJP has its internal matters too. What do you have to say about it? Yadav: We could not give ticket to George because of his poor health. He has been with us for decades and there is no question that we can deny ticket to him. But we are answerable to people. So that’s why took that tough decision. We did not deny ticket to anyone but after delimitation, we finalised candidates. Swati: There are so many Prime Minister in waiting like LK Advani and Third Front leaders, what do you have to say about it? Yadav: This is a new trend. Even parties with 5 or 10 MPs want their leaders to be prime minister. BJP and Congress are two parties which are going to get more than 100 seats so other parties can’t form government in Centre without their support and the question of their party’s PM does not arise. Swati: Every leader has shown their interest to become Prime Minister, why haven`t you? Yadav: My aim is to serve the people and that’s of utmost importance to me. If I get any responsibility, I will definitely take it up. But you don’t get this post just like that. Swati: There was a big controversy involving IPL dates clashing with General Election where BJP contradicted with government. What do you have to say about it? Yadav: The General Election is the most important process for the democracy. The Home Minsiter should have told the organisers straightaway to shift or postpone the event. IPL is an event where players are auctioned…..it is a market instrument. What is IPL in comparison to the election. The issue should not have been debated in the first place. Adaptation by : Abhishek