UPA is only passing time in office: Modi

BANGALORE: At BJP's national executive, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi has been at the centre of action, delivering a much-noticed speech to his colleagues and leading a sharp attack on the government's handling of internal security. TOI asked Modi about the media projecting him as a BJP mascot, a rung below L K Advani.

Q: Don't you feel your work in Gujarat is almost over and it is time you moved to the national scene? A: As far as a chief minister is concerned, he is part of national politics, whether he is from Gujarat or elsewhere. As far as working for Gujarat's development is concerned, I feel sky is the limit. There can be no full stops to developmental work... innovation and initiatives are always required. You cannot fulfil people's needs in one lifetime.

Q: But as an individual you may want to do more at the national level. If you are asked to head the party, will you want to do it? A: When Atal Bihari Vajpayee was PM, Venkaiah Naiduji was party president, when Advaniji is the prime ministerial candidate, Rajnath Singhji is looking after the party! As far as organisational work is concerned, when I reach the bridge, I will cross it. Q: What is your opinion on BJP's prospects? A: BJP is at the centrestage. It is ahead in terms of leadership. Probably, India does not have another leader like Advaniji who has visited 400 districts in the course of his long political career and that is why he understands real issues and problems. Organisationally, BJP is the biggest in the country now and in power in most important states except Uttar Pradesh. Alongwith its NDA partners, it shares power in important states. As opposed to this, the present government at the Centre is a faceless one, meaning it has no issues, achievements or individuals that it can be identified with. They (UPA) are only passing time. It cannot control inflation it is the first government whose decisions one after the other has been overruled by SC. For the first time, we have a government that says something in Parliament and in the US, George Bush says something else. It protects terrorists. It repealed POTA, it has been denying legislations like GUJCOCA, national security is an issue today.

Q: You mentioned UP which is dominated by SP and BSP. Do you have a formula to improve things for your party in the state? A: The Congress was dominant in UP which is why the state was always very closely connected to national politics. The people of UP want to be part of the national mainstream. I am hopeful of drastic changes in UP this time.

Q: Congress is setting out on Navnirman yatra in Gujarat? A: Interestingly, Chimanbhai Patel was accused in the Navnirman scam, and today his son is heading a rathyatra in the state and calling it Navnirman yatra. What should I say after this. And, for the last 20 years, Congress hated raths and rathyatras, but now they are having to follow BJP's footsteps and set out on a rathyatra.

Q: Do you feel the need for a image makeover for acceptability at the national level? A: Image makeover? If I serve other people, I can't be thinking of my image. I'm working for the image of Gujarat and branding of Gujarat. I don't have time to think about my own image.


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