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The Rediff Election Interview/ Gopinath Munde

'The people want to teach the Congress a lesson'

Everyone in political circles knows Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde is never on time for appointments. Despite that, when Munde's secretary told Syed Firdaus Ashraf that he would reach Pangaon, Rediff's special correspondent made it a point to reach the Marathwada town on time, in the hope that the Bharatiya Janata Party leader would be punctual for once. Actually, Munde outdid himself: he was late by four hours.

He finally arrived at 5.30 pm and told Ashraf he had ten minutes to conduct the interview. Despite the visible fatigue, Munde was in high spirits.

You have recently toured the state. What is the response for your party?

There has been a tremendous response for the alliance government. And we are surely going to win about 160 seats. As far as parliamentary elections are concerned, we are sure we will repeat our 1996 performance by winning at least 33 out of 48 seats in Maharashtra.

On what basis do you say that? I mean, in 1998 there was an anti-incumbency vote and the BJP-Sena was defeated very badly, isn't it?

No, this time there is no anti-establishment vote. The people are completely disillusioned by the Congress party in the state. And after the split in the Congress they think it is only the BJP-Sena which can provide them a stable and good government in the state and at the Centre. Moreover, there is an added advantage because even the RPI is divided this time. That too will work in our favour.

But many of the alliance government's promises have not been fulfilled. Be it a tanker-free state, jobs for 27 lakh youth, the Zunkha Bhakar scheme or the slum redevelopment scheme...

We have fulfilled 90 per cent of our promises. And the rest will be completed when we come to power the next time.

In case of a hung assembly will you take support from the Nationalist Congress Party?

Firstly, we won't fall short of a majority so there is no question of taking the NCP's support. And secondly, opinion polls too predict that it will be a BJP-Sena government again in Maharashtra.

But, why aren't you criticising Sharad Pawar in your meetings?

That is not true. I have been very vocal against his party. In fact, there are many places where we are in direct contest with Pawar's party.

So, whom are you contesting against, Pawar or the Congress?

It is difficult to say, because in some places we are contesting against Pawar's candidate and in other places against Sonia's.

What issues are you highlighting in your constituency?

It is the development work which I have carried out in my tenure. There were no proper roads or water. Today, you find these things here. The Congress government did not do anything in the last 35 years, while I have done so much for my constituency in just four and a half years.

There is a strong feeling in your constituency that your elder brother, Pandit Anna Munde, is terrorising Renapur?

That is a rumour being spread by my opponents and certain sections of the media. But this will be proved wrong and I will surely win by a comfortable majority.

But, Mr Munde, I have personally spoken to people in your constituency and they agree with this claim.

(Laughs) You must have met some NCP or Congress supporters. You know, when I contested the assembly election for the first time, my opponents spread the rumour that I was marrying a Brahmin girl. That worked in their favour, and I lost. In the same way they are highlighting my brother's alleged role this time.

Your opponents also claim that you are scared of losing and that is why you are not campaigning elsewhere in Maharashtra but focusing only on Renapur. How far is this true?

(Smiles) You see, once again you are believing in rumours.

If the BJP wins more seats than the Sena who will be the next chief minister?

Obviously he will be from the BJP. And that has been agreed to by both the parties.

So will you be the next CM of Maharashtra?

Let's see.

There is no enthusiasm among the voters in Maharashtra. What do you think is the reason?

You see, the people are angry because the country is going to polls in just 13 months and they want to teach the Congress a lesson. So they are quiet, sullen, and are not expressing their feelings.

The Rediff Election Interviews

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