Election not about caste but people’s faith in BJP: Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Swatantra Dev Singh

As the high-stake UP polls go to the second half, UP BJP chief Swatantra Dev Singh maintains that his party stands at a crucial juncture where the work done in the last five years will matter most. Speaking to Pankaj Shah, Singh insists that the Opposition is in no position to withstand the people’s excitement and their whole-hearted support for BJP. Excerpts: Four phases of polling are over in UP with PM Narendra Modi claiming an unprecedented ‘lahar’ (wave) in favour of BJP. What could be the basis of his claim?There is overwhelming excite- ment among people. The confidence—especially of the poor—on PM Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath has been growing. Our leaders have proved that providing ba sic facilities to people can be done honestly. PM Modi proved his dedication to the people. And CM Yo gi has worked like Modi to provide an honest leadership while establishing a rule of la w. We are heading for a thumping majority. BJP has found deep roots among all castes. But the average voting percentage in the first three phases has witnessed a downfall. Isn’t that bothering BJP?This may be because of some factors playing their role at the ground level. But people are voting in favour of Modi and Yogi. How big is the challenge from Akhilesh Yadav?He and his party are hardly a challenge for us. They are trying to come to power by using caste and community appeasement. They have no inclination to serve the people. This is why they speak of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan and terrorism. They insult ‘bhagwa’ (saffron), seers. How do you see the contest in Karhal?Akhileshji is a big leader of his party. Why did he flee to Karhal? Does he believe only in voters from the Yadav community? He should have expressed confidence in Muslims and contested from a seat in Azamgarh, Sambhal or Kannauj. He seems to have confidence only in his ‘khandaan’ (clan) and not even in the backward community. The party raked up the Kairana exodus and then attacked SP over Nahid Hasan. Now, it has pinned Akhilesh over his picture with the father of a terror accused. Isn’t this stoking a communal narrative? Can Akhilesh shy away from the fact that Saif’s father is a SP functionary? SP has a history of supporting terrorists. In Kairana, we went to the people with our report card. In the five years of BJP rule, not a single person has migrated because of gundagardi which was rampant during SP rule. There was no communal riot or extortion. Shouldn’t we tell this to people? You spoke about the poor. But Opposition has accused BJP of lending a cold shoulder to the downtrodden. The Opposition is speaking against us for the sake of it. Even they are aware that the schemes initiated by BJP have kept the poor and downtrodden at the forefront. It was the first time that they received facilities like LPG, toilets and pucca houses, which otherwise were restricted to the rich. A PM washing the feet of safai-karamcharis, showering flowers on labou rers and eating with them is no ordinary act. It sends out a message to the poor. The fourth phase was in a region rocked by farmer unrest and the con- troversy over involvement of a minister’s son in Lakhimpur violence. Your MP Varun Gandhi too has been speaking against the party. How big is the challenge?It was just limited to the media. People, especially the farmers, have full confidence that whatever benefits would come to them will be because of PM Modi and CM Yo gi. There is no resentment. What about east UP where ministers like Swami Prasad Maurya and Dara Singh Chauhan defected. This election is not about casteism but about people’s confidence in Modi and Yo gi. This election is about rule of law. So is the Opposition fighting BJP or combo of Modi-Yogi?The Opposition does not have the ability to contest against us. That requires giving up desires and doing penance. How is the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya favouring BJP?We do not work to create a favourable atmosphere. Ram Mandir was associated with the faith of millions. We did what had to be done. Our Ram Lalla lived in a tent for 26 years. Who was responsible for it? Congress, their leaders and their partners. Who fired bullets at Kar Sevaks? It was only after a person from a humble background became the PM that work on a grand Ram temple started.