Four-time West Champaran MP Sanjay Jaiswal was the Bihar BJP president in 2020 when the NDA clinched the Assembly elections, which also saw the BJP bagging 74 seats as compared to its ally JD(U)’s 43 in the 243-member House. In the midst of campaigning for the BJP candidates for the upcoming Bihar polls across his home turf, Jaiswal, 59, speaks to The Indian Express on various issues related to the polls, including migration and whether Nitish Kumar will continue to be the CM should the NDA return to power. Excerpts:
* The migration issue seems to have become key to this election. How do you think it would impact the polls?
The migration that happened in Bihar till 2005 used to happen due to dacoity and kidnapping. But today, people are going out for better opportunities. Today, if a student passes engineering, it is natural he will go where he gets a good job. They (Opposition) are saying why are Biharis going to Gujarat? Then why are Gujaratis going to America? Go to Punjab and you will find someone from every home in America. Whoever finds better life elsewhere goes there. Twenty years ago, people migrated for safety. Today, if someone from Bihar applies for a job and goes there of his own will, it is okay.
Yes, Bihar has lacked basic infrastructure in the past. In a region that had no roads, no power and no law and order, to ask why big industries did not come there, is dishonest. Today, 13 new industrial parks are coming up in Bihar. In Kumar Bagh here, an SEZ is coming up. Naturally, everybody is now waiting whether NDA will return to power. If the government stays, industrialists will also come. Many industries are coming up. We have brought big change in the ethanol sector. Maize that would not sell for Rs 1,200 a quintal is selling for Rs 2,400.
* But the question remains, what was the NDA doing all these 20 years of its rule? Why should people trust you?
Narendra Modi ji came to power in 2014 and he set a goal that by 2017 electrification (in Bihar) will be completed. Today, entire Bihar has power. In a state where there was no electricity, to ask why there are no factories…. Earlier, even a transformer being installed used to be a cause for celebration in this region. Once upon a time, Chanpatia rice used to be famous and had a flourishing industry. That place did not get electricity for 12 years. So, naturally all industries died. Now there is an elaborate power grid — and industries will come.
* Once again the BJP leaders, in their campaigns, are raking up “jungle raj” repeatedly. Are the Bihar polls again going to be about Lalu Prasad and not Modi and Nitish?
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The RJD holds its national convention in Patna and Tejashwi Yadav says long live Shahabuddin and Taslimuddin. What does it mean? You give ticket to the son of a criminal like Shahabuddin. What does it mean? Had he (Tejashwi) apologised for the crimes of these people, one would think he is ushering in new politics. Today you are giving ticket to the wife of Ashok Mahato. What is the message? That I am going to form a government of murders, kidnapping and dacoity.
* It is being alleged that the NDA is institutionally bribing voters ahead of elections by transferring Rs 10,000 each to the accounts of women under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana?
If we are giving free power to the poor, why should it pain anyone? Taxation has been decreased on a range of products. The BJP’s principle is Antyodaya – reaching the last person. If people are getting facilities… there was already Mudra yojana… student loan up to Rs 4 lakh also existed, only the interest has been waived off now. We are running schemes for the welfare of the poor. We are not just making promises but delivering. I am unable to understand why this troubles our opponents.
* If the NDA wins the polls and the BJP gets more seats than the JD(U), will you again accept Nitish Kumar as the CM?
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I was the state BJP president in the previous Assembly polls. We won 74 seats and the JD(U) only 43. Still, we chose Nitish Kumar as the CM. This time, too, our slogan is “Pachees se Tees, Narendra aur Nitish (From 2025 to 2030, Narendra and Nitish)”. So, where is the controversy?
* But questions are being raised about Nitish’s health.
If you go out from here and meet with an accident, is there any guarantee, you will stay alive? There is no guarantee about me either. The NDA has consensus that “Pachees se Tees, Narenda aur Nitish”.