My daughter too goes to pub, but has juice: Sushma

Speaking to Zee News’ Swati Chaturvedi on Kahiye Janab, BJP leader Sushma Swaraj condemned moral policing and reiterated her bid to contest upcoming elections.

Against the backdrop of infamous Mangalore pub assault case and forthcoming LS polls, BJP general secretary Sushma Swaraj spoke to Zee News’ Swati Chaturvedi on Kahiye Janab condemning moral policing and reiterating her bid to contest elections. Here are the excerpts:Swati: You are in a way ending your political exile by deciding to contest in the elections. How did this come about?

Sushma: I had never taken political exile. I did not contest in 2004 elections because the party took the decision that we should not contest. So I accepted the party decision. Swati: You said you will go by Advaniji’s discretion. In 2004, a decision was taken without consulting you. This time again, it is a premature announcement. Why doesn’t the BJP want Sushma Swaraj to win a Lok Sabha seat? Sushma: Advaniji wanted us to campaign for elections rather than be tied to a constituency seat- campaigning gave me a wider canvas. Swati: Over the last few years, BJP has come up with leaders such as Venkaiah Naidu and Arun Jaitley, who never had public support? Sushma: Advaniji took this feedback and found that there is lack of seriousness in elections so he asked those of us in the Rajya Sabha to fight the elections. This time even Arunji will fight elections and your complaint will be addressed. Swati: You are an influential BJP party worker – you are often known as ‘anti-biotic’. You can give competition to Mayawati and Sonia Gandhi. Is BJP supportive? Sushma: I am lucky that wherever there are challenges, I am chosen to represent the party. Indeed, this is a big thing. If your leader believes in you, only then they give you such a position even when you are new to a constituency. I had the love of the people wherever I campaigned. Swati: When you were sent to Delhi by the Sangh and the same person was given your post, it clearly indicated that there are many feuds in BJP and that Sushma Swaraj becomes the scapegoat – she is not given a chance to fight elections. Sushma: This public perception is totally wrong. I was never stopped from contesting elections. Besides me, there were three men as well, who were asked not to contest elections that time. This time there is no such thing. I will fight the upcoming elections. Swati: You have been a lawyer, youngest minister. Do you feel that BJP has a ‘glass ceiling’? Sushma: There is no glass ceiling. I have found my groove. I am assigned the most responsibilities than anyone else in the BJP. Swati: There was only one woman besides you in the party – Uma Bharti, who has been expelled form the party. Sushma: There is Vasundhra Raje too, who has been the CM, Sumitra Mahajan, and Kiran Maheshwari. Swati: Recently, Vasundhra Raje was openly attacked by your own party members – by Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Jaswant Singh who accused her of corruption. Do women get their rights? Sushma: I only speak from my own experience and there has been no such issue with me. Swati: Some of your own party members describe you as someone sporting a big bindi, vermillion et al? Sushma: Well, if bindi is an issue, Congress’ Ambika Soni, Margaret Alva, sport it and so does Brinda Karat – who sports a bigger bindi. And if some male politicians are jealous of it, I can send them a whole packet to them. I love Indian women and this appearance is the ethos that distinguishes me from a political figure as someone who can be associated with common people. Swati: Talking of elections, it was believed that BJP would win Delhi – even punters betted on BJP’s victory – somehow you lost an already won election? What were the reasons? Sushma: I believe that over-confidence and complacency were also the reasons for the loss. This holds a lesson for us. We lost in Rajasthan and Delhi. We will not leave any stone unturned in the upcoming elections. In fact, losing Delhi elections was a blessing in disguise. We learnt a lot from it and will try not to repeat such a loss. Swati: The Mumbai attacks on November 26 was a big thing. The BJP latched upon it, and used it in its election campaign which was slammed by the public. This time, what is your agenda? Sushma: To say that we politicised the issue is wrong. Post-Mumbai attacks, Advaniji offered that both he and the PM will visit Mumbai together. There cannot be a gesture of goodwill more than that. Advaniji said that the nation stands together. We never tried to politicise it. We backed the UPA government when it passed an anti-terror law. However, when we said an anti-terror law should be there, Congress did not take action in the five years of UPA’s term. At a time when other countries are coming up with anti-terror laws to fight terrorism, India was the only country where the law of such a kind was scrapped. POTA is not applicable in Kasab case as confession to police holds no authority. Prosperity and security are the big issues and we have always stood for them. We will add these issues in our election manifesto as well. Swati: What is your personal take on Sri Ram Sene? BJP is seen as sensible secure national party and when it is linked to moral policing, a thing like this is a blot on its image? Sushma: I am against such attacks by Ram Sene. It is totally uncalled for. I strongly condemn such moral policing. It is better to leave it to an individual’s personal choice. My own daughter studies in London but she has never done anything wrong. She goes to the pub but takes juice while her friends take wine. But she never gives sermons to others. When a government makes a policy, it has to see what it is glorifying. But beating people in pub is wrong. The Karnataka government has arrested people in this regard. Do not link it with the BJP. Swati: Whether its Shiv Sena, Ram Sene or the BJP – why does Sangh parivar gets into cultural policing? Sushma: Love has a big meaning. Do not boil it down to Valentine’s Day or just a boy-girl thing. In fact, my birthday coincides with Valentine’s Day. Swati: Since your birthday is on this day, tell us something by way of spreading love. Sushma: I would like to recite some lines from a poem by ‘Niraj`. Chip Chip ashru bahaane waalon Moti vyarth lutane waalon! Kuch sapnon ke mar jane se, jeevan nahin mara karta hai Laakhon baar gagriyaan phooteen. Shikan na aayi panghat par. Lakhon baar kishtiyaan doobeen. Chahal-pehal wo hi hai tat par. Chand Khilounon ke khone se, bachpan nahin maraa karta hai. (There is no point crying over the loss of your dearest possessions because life is bigger than anything and you are bound to get better things in life.) Adapted by: Aman Kanth