BJP doesn't practise what it preaches: MP Minister Ramkrishna Kusmaria

If the BJP had ruled for 15 years, why did they not deal with the Naxals in such a long time, asks Madhya Pradesh cabinet minister Ramkrishna Kusmaria

A five-time MP, three-time MLA and a cabinet minister in Madhya Pradesh, Ramkrishna Kusmaria has quit the BJP owing to alleged negligence. Kusmaria, who recently joined the Congress, speaks to Sandeep Kumar about things deteriorating in his old party and why he joined the Congress

You were in the BJP for many years and the most successful agriculture minister of the state when evaluated in terms of production and ‘Krishi Karman’ awards. How adverse were the circumstances that you had to leave? Didn't you put up a fight before calling it quits?'

I always made efforts and did so for 30 years. When Sunderlal Patwa was chief minister, he made Jayant Malaiya, and not me, a minister in the beginning of his political career because of caste factors. Secondly, there is no check on the upper echelons of the party. When I was agriculture minister and Amit Shah was in Gujarat, I went to attend an agriculture fair and he welcomed me warmly. Now I get to meet him once in five years. 

Does that mean he is inaccessible even to a senior leader like you?
 

Yes. This trend has crept into the state organisation. The only person who is accessible is Ram Lal (national organising secretary) though he can’t do much. I joined the party under Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Rajmata (Vijaya Raje Scindia) and followed party ideals. But, now party leaders don’t practise what they preach. They have formed a lobby for ticket distribution, which is led by Shah himself. As the party lost in Madhya Pradesh and other states, he should take moral responsibility for this and go. Under his stewardship, the party lost in Delhi and Bihar also. More, if the BJP is to exist, Shah should resign right away. 

I have kept many farmer-related issue before them but they didn't move. The new scheme to give farmers Rs 6,000 per annum is an insult. On the one hand, you are waiving loans of companies and here you have a mere six thousand rupees for farmers. I still remember, Raj Mata said I was an ideal farmer leader who had done a PhD. My father took the promise that she and Vajpayee wouldn’t abandon me. With god’s grace they never did that. 

So you say this was long overdue and the circumstances were built over time.

I told them I was a big factor in the area and if they didn’t consider my candidature, they would have to suffer. The BJP lost at least 10 seats due to me.

So they didn't try to amend things after the assembly election defeat?

No, they insist my departure from the party would have no effect. I also said if the state election wasn't enough, be prepared to face the music in the Lok Sabha elections. 

Did no one contact you after the state election?

Prabhat Jha made some moves and I was also convinced for a moment but not much happened after that. The person he wanted to put in touch with me was unavailable. I never wanted to leave the party but they made me do it. Prabhat Jha and Ramlal are two nice people in the party but they have been sidelined by Amit Shah.

Why did you join the Congress?

The Congress took part in the freedom struggle. It is the party of Vallabhbhai Patel and Gandhi. I'm heavily influenced by Patel, who built the Somnath temple. The Ram temple of Ayodhya could've been built in the same way but Narendra Modi fooled everyone with demonetisation and the goods and services tax (GST). He misled everyone rather than working on Article 370 and the Ram temple. They took land from the court now, which could've been done earlier. 

What was the impact of the GST and demonetisation on the state elections?

There was considerable resentment to the GST. The GST that was collected at higher rates (before rate reduction) will not be refunded. The statement of Arun Jaitley that in Chhattisgarh the Congress won because of the Naxals is nonsense. If the BJP had ruled for 15 years, why did they not deal with the Naxals in such a long time? The Jhiram Ghati incident occurred in the BJP’s time. Making a statement like this is boosting the confidence of Naxals and extremists. 

Was any head start made with the Congress regarding the Lok Sabha elections and ticket distribution?

No, there were no discussions like that. I respect the party and will accept whatever role it decides for me. I hope they take into account my strengths and give me a role accordingly. When Uma Bharti made her party I was asked to leave the Lok Sabha and focus on making the government in the state. The party asked me to consolidate the Bundelkhand region. We formed the government and I got the agriculture department. I brought the Krishi Karman award. Also I brought 18 per cent growth, which is the highest in world, and made the soil card and other flagship schemes. They became envious owing to my rising graph, work and popularity. They changed my seat. I was assigned the Raj Nagar seat in place of my conventional seat of Patharia and it was ensured that I lost. This time I asked for five seats, similar to the Pandavs’ demand for five villages, but I was denied that. There is no hope for them. Farm Loan waiver is the talk of country. They are in total disarray over the GST and fiddling with rates. Demonetisation was a smokescreen and to promote corruption they have launched the 2,000-rupee note. 

In the Lok Sabha elections, how do you view the Congress prospects?

The Congress will repeat the state election victory.