Senior Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar is the chairman of the BJP’s election manifesto committee and the party’s candidate from Ballarpur in Chandrapur district, which is part of the politically crucial Vidarbha region. Mungantiwar, who appears unfazed by his loss in the Lok Sabha elections a few months ago, discusses what is at stake in the Assembly polls, how the BJP has attempted to turn things around, alleged differences in the Mahayuti over four seats, and the role of the RSS. Excerpts:
Since the Lok Sabha elections, what has changed for the BJP?
In the Lok Sabha elections, we bore the brunt of a fake narrative effectively exploited by Maha Vikas Aghadi to its advantage. The anti-Dalit, anti-Constitution propaganda of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) adversely affected us. In some ways, we failed to counter it, we were not alert. In the Assembly polls, we have taken all the precautionary measures.
Can you point out, say, three corrective measures you have taken?
We adopted micro-planning to fix problems at all organizational levels. Now, every false narrative is quickly countered. Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in Maharashtra are closely guiding and monitoring the preparations. Some of the best BJP leaders have been entrusted with responsibilities district-wise. Every day, progress reports are made and analyzed at the top level. We all have heard of the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad. Now, we have with us ‘A for Amit Shah’ management.
Did the Haryana Assembly results make a difference?
Every election, Parliament or state, is different. It cannot be identical. But when you win one electionit brings josh (passion). Yes, karyakartas are upbeat.
What about the larger public perception?
In the Lok Sabha polls, the difference between the Mahayuti and the MVA was narrow, just two lakh votes. Our seats dropped but our vote bank was intact. In Mumbai, we polled two lakh more votes. The people are not against us. Also, remember, on the battlefield even the Pandavas had to face setbacks. That does not mean they were less powerful.
What is at stake in these elections?
The Maharashtra elections are not about getting power alone. It is economically crucial. The average share of the state in India’s GDP is 14%. Given its leadership in core sectors, Maharashtra is poised to play a significant role in Viksit Bharat 2047 which is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal. When India is striving to achieve a five trillion dollar economy, Maharashtra’s contribution will be one trillion dollars. So, Maharashtra will play a greater role in taking India to its glorious heights.
Is RSS playing a major role in the Assembly polls? It is said it stayed away in the Lok Sabha polls.
Not true. I belong to the RSS family. It’s not their style to hold public rallies for any political party. They make a broader appeal to people, reminding them of issues of national interest. So, to allege that the RSS did nothing in the Lok Sabha polls is wrong. They helped us during the Lok Sabha elections and are doing so now. In the Maharashtra Assembly elections, their involvement is equally there with a different approach. Instead of, say, reaching out to groups, they are now going door to door. The RSS does not believe in worshiping individuals. Their absolute commitment is to the Matribhoomi (motherland).
Are there power tussles within the Mahayuti and will they have an impact?
There is no such thing as a power tussle within the Mahayuti. The three parties (Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP) are like three rivers that converge into a huge one Sangam (delta). All three parties and leaders collectively work as a team. In Eknath Shinde, we have a good CM who takes decisions not only using his brain but his heart too.
Will the Ladki Bahin Yojana help the coalition get women’s votes?
Why should anybody have an objection to the government giving Rs 1,500 monthly to women? Corpus funds of Rs 44,000 crore were approved for the Sixth and Seventh Pay Commissions for employees. It was their right and we justified it. Nobody raised questions then.
Shockingly, the Opposition is questioning us on the Ladki Bahin scheme. This is just one scheme. We have given free electricity to farmers. We provided girls pursuing higher education and professional courses free of cost. In this tenure, the Mahayuti got almost equal tenure as the MVA. We focused on development. Whereas the MVA government tenure saw corruption and failure on many fronts.
Is there justification for the politics of splitting parties and dislodging governments?
Who started it in Maharashtra? In 1978, Sharad Pawar walked out with 40 MLAs to dislodge the government of Vasantdada Patil. He formed a coalition with other parties called the Progressive Democratic Front and became the CM. After the 2019 Assembly polls, it was Uddhav Thackeray who betrayed us by breaking ties and joining the Congress-NCP alliance. People are wise and know who is right and who is wrong.