Three-term North East Delhi MP and Bhojpuri actor-singer, Manoj Tiwari, has been among the BJP’s key Purvanchal faces. Tiwari, 54, is going to be one of the party’s star campaigners for the November Bihar Assembly elections. In an interview with The Indian Express, Tiwari speaks on a range of issues related to the Bihar polls. Excerpts:
* The NDA’s seat-sharing pact for the Bihar polls was sealed after days of negotiations. And yet, allies like Upendra Kushwaha and Jitan Ram Majhi seem to be upset. Why?
In a coalition, everyone being completely satisfied is a rare thing. This is true of all alliances… In the last elections, LJP was not with us, (Upendra) Kushwaha ji’s party (Rashtriya Lok Morcha) too was not with us. This time, both are contesting together with us. So this alliance has been formed for the first time after a long gap. When it comes to seat-sharing, the two main parties, BJP and JD(U), both will have to let go of a few seats for our allies. Small issues will be solved.
Even BJP does not have complete satisfaction. We had to forgo some seats with a heavy heart. But this is the way of a coalition. But the good thing is that everyone has left these negotiations with satisfaction and are now engaged in seat distribution of their parties.
* In a break from tradition, both the BJP and JD(U) are contesting the same number of seats, 101, this time. What signal does this send?
Samanvay (coordination). The word “coordination” is perfect for this coalition (NDA)…. Both BJP and JD(U) have shown a big heart and, for the sake of their coalition, made small sacrifices here and there. Whether it is Manjhi ji, Chirag ji or Kushwaha ji, whatever statements they make – all these have been made after they accepted the (NDA’s seat-sharing) agreement.
* A new player that has emerged in the Bihar electoral landscape now is Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party. How do you view Kishor as a political force, and his party’s role in the upcoming polls?
Jan Suraaj has no significant impact on the ground. It is true that they are fielding individuals who are socially popular. Take, for example, an artiste like Ritesh Pandey fielded by Jan Suraaj. Artistes like us, wherever we go, there is a crowd waiting; but this cannot be mistaken as support for Jan Suraaj.
To your other question – everyone has a right to practise politics. These people are masters when it comes to media and elections. They know how to play games – how to attract people’s attention, make ads… make reels in the mud. Prashant Kishor has mastery in all this, which he is using. But, is any ideology visible in his campaign? Prashant Kishor has no ideology… All you (Kishor) do is spruce up the image of those who pay you to do so. You have done this for RJD, Congress, JD(U), TMC.
I must tell you – Nitish ji gave him (Kishor) a substantial budget… to come up with a plan for betterment of children of the state… But he went for (DMK chief M K) Stalin’s campaign instead. I have asked him (Kishor) several times – you took funds to chalk out a plan for Bihar’s development but you went in the opposite direction because you got money. This is in the heart of Bihar people that someone who changes direction for money should never be able to find space in a democracy.
* What could be the impact on Bihar voters of issues such as the Election Commission’s SIR (Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls) and “vote chori” allegations? How would the NDA counter them?
Both these issues have actually gone against the INDI (Mahagathbandhan) alliance in Bihar. You approach your karyakartas and ask them to make noise about vote chori – but how has there been your governments in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, one supported by you in Jharkhand. How could Congress and RJD win as many seats as they did in the last Bihar elections. When you win, everything is right, but if you lose, vote chori?
People are very intelligent. They (Opposition) have stopped their vote chori narrative now since their internal report points out that the people are not believing in it. When it comes to SIR – just think, will illegal infiltrators be voters in this country? It is good that this issue became part of media discourse and even those who did not have any clue about it started learning about the exercise. Why should the deceased, those who vote in more than one booth, Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators – why should they be voters here? Bihar said, no — such voters should not be on the rolls.
It became clear that Rahul Gandhi and Lalu Yadav ji’s party were seeking to give rights, which only the Bihar voters deserve, to illegal infiltrators, and this will cost them very dearly in these elections. With the vision of Modi ji as PM and Nitish ji as CM and the face of our campaign, the NDA is headed for a big victory. This is because they ensured Digha bridge, another one from Arrah to Chhapra – all these projects, providing both railway and road connectivity, reducing sharply journey time between Gaya and Patna. Bihar now has three airports. And, moreover, we say we will ensure the state’s real developmental flight in the next five years. The people of Bihar are going to hand a very big victory to the NDA.
* Several questions have been raised regarding Nitish Kumar – both in terms of “anti-incumbency” as well as his health and ability to carry on in his post for another term. What is your response?
Nitish ji is now completely well, fit, and is very ably leading the (NDA’s) charge from the front. When it comes to health, minor issues keep arising now and then but, at this time, he is totally fit and we are walking forward under his leadership.
You said anti-incumbency – there is no such sentiment against him. What he enjoys is pro-incumbency. I am from Bihar too – we were from Rohtas, now in Kaimur – my own village is now connected to a highway. In a state which has witnessed a new monument of development every year, there is pro-incumbency for Nitish ji. This is the same Nitish Kumar under whose government prohibition was implemented and Bihar continues on the road to become “sharab mukt”. Countless lives and futures have been saved – something that the women of Bihar will tell you.