Rahul inspired me to join politics: Deependra Hooda

Congress MP Deependra Hooda, in an exclusive tête-à-tête with Zeenews.com’s Swati Chaturvedi on Kahiye Janab.

Congress MP Deependra Hooda, the son of Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has the distinction of winning by one of the biggest margin in this Lok Sabha elections. In an exclusive tête-à-tête with Zeenews.com’s Swati Chaturvedi in Kahiye Janab, he talks about the Congress party, his vision and his inspiration - Rahul Gandhi.Here are some excerpts from the interview:

Swati: How did you manage to win by such a huge margin of votes in India? Deependra: There were a lot of factors involved. One, I worked honestly for the people of my constituency. Two, the good performance of Manmohan Singh led Central government and three, the performance of state government. All these ensured my victory. Rahul Gandhi’s hard work among youth also played a part. Swati: Most of the young MPs of last Lok Sabha have been criticized for being products of dynastic politics, but most of you have retained your seats. What made it possible? Deependra: It is very easy to make promises, but a very difficult task to fulfil them. All the young Congress MPs worked very hard which won them the goodwill of the people and in turn won them the elections. Swati: What are the differences in the working styles of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi? Deependra: I haven’t got as much opportunity to work with Ms. Sonia Gandhi as my father did. I have worked closely with Rahul Gandhi. He has a very honest way of working with a vision to bring development to the most backward sections of the society. This vision has got him the support from people across caste and religious lines. Swati: How do you see the impact of Rahul Gandhi’s vision on the election results in UP and Bihar where caste plays a major role? Deependra: This election is as significant as the election of 1977, when the politics of disintegration started in the country over caste, religion and region. Now, the momentum has shifted in favour of national parties rather than regional parties. Rahul Gandhi understood the undercurrent in favour of the Congress and took the right decision of going alone in the elections. Swati: Did Rahul Gandhi face any resistance within party the about going it alone in the crucial states of UP and Bihar?Deependra: All the decision taken in the Congress party are with the consensus of the leaders. All these were collective decisions taken after much deliberation, so the question of resistance does not arise. Swati: What is Rahul Gandhi’s message to MP Deependra Hooda? Deependra: Rahul Gandhi’s entry into politics inspired me come back from America and join politics. Today, all I can say is that it was the right decision. Swati: Do you see Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister? Dependra: Yes, I want Rahul Gandhi to become the Prime Minister of the country. The youth of India wants to see him as PM. But the timing will be decided by the top party leadership. Swati: Do you think too much of negative publicity backfired on BJP in this election? Deependra: BJP’s politics is of segregating people on religious lines. The youth of India is well educated and looks up to the world in terms of development and lifestyle. Youth wants developmental politics, so it denied BJP’s communal politics. Adaptation: Sharique N Siddiquie