I don’t believe in caste politics: Meira Kumar

Congress leader and former Speaker Meira Kumar, who is contesting from her father Jagjivan Ram’s constituency

Sasaram

, tells TOI’s Utsav Basu, she’s not a “casteist” and does not believe in caste politics. The ex-IFS officer is hoping to win back the seat she won twice consecutively since 2004, but lost during the Modi wave in 2014


BJP calls you an outsider in Sasaram. What is your reaction?

How can I be an outsider in Sasaram? My father Babu Jagjivan Ram — who was a member of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s cabinet and remained a Union minister for three decades— was a Lok Sabha MP from this place from the time of Independence till his demise (in 1986). How can I be an outsider here?

Considering ‘Babuji’ was an MP from here for over 30 years and you yourself have represented Sasaram twice, do you feel there is a pressure on you to win this time?

There is pressure definitely. There have been other MPs after he (Babuji) passed away, and also in the past five years. (Kumar had lost in 2014 to BJP’s Chhedi Paswan, who had also won the seat twice on a Janata Dal ticket after her father’s death). I find developmental work has not been done and difficulties of people have not been addressed. So there is a lot of backlog and a lot needs to be done in this constituency.

Your father was known for his championing of social justice, what do you feel about the use of nationalism by BJP and its leaders in their campaigning?

They use all kinds of gimmicks to win elections. Their forefathers were nowhere to be seen when the country was involved in the freedom movement. They have made no sacrifices for the nation and today they talk of nationalism and fan such feelings.

What do you think of Nitish Kumar as Bihar CM?

He has been a complete failure as chief minister. Over the years, heinous things have happened in Bihar like in Muzaffarpur (children’s shelter home case). These incidents have brought shame to Bihar.

In Bihar, caste politics plays an important role. What is your take on it?

I wish it wasn’t like this because I am not a casteist. I do not want casteism to become stronger in the state as it is very harmful for society.

How do you wish to eradicate casteism from Bihar?

Both for the SCs and the non-SCs, casteism is very harmful and we would definitely work towards doing away with it from the state. When it comes to politics, I follow in the footsteps of my father who was a proponent of social justice.

What will be your main area of focus if you win?

My main focus would definitely be on arranging jobs for the youth here. Due to large-scale unemployment, the youth here is distressed.

Do you find any change in the nature of politics since the time you entered this arena and now?

Politics has really changed over the years. Earlier, politics revolved around ideologies but now, ideologies seem to have taken a backseat.

Who do you see as the next Prime Minister?

Of course, someone from the Grand Alliance and the Mahagathbandhan.

Do you see Rahul Gandhi as India’s future PM?

Being a part of the Congress, I would very much want him to be the Prime Minster.