Congress is a sober party, BJP misleads and spreads lies: Kamal Nath

Kamal Nath says BJO is spreading the rumours about him joining the party

Amid speculation that veteran Congress leader Kamal Nath might be asked to steer the party in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, he tells Amit Agnihotri that he hasn’t made up his mind on the issue and blames the Bharatiya Janata Party for spreading the rumour that he was joining that party.

There is speculation in party circles that you are keen to be deployed as Madhya Pradesh unit chief keeping in mind the Assembly polls next year. Your comment?

Yes, there have been some demands from party workers and leaders in Madhya Pradesh that I should be given the role to lead the state unit. But neither have I made up my mind on the issue nor has the party.

There were rumours that you were unhappy with the Congress and were on the verge of joining the BJP. Please clarify. 

Such a thought never came to my mind.  This was a BJP ploy as it was trying to use my name to entice others in the Congress.

But if the responsibility of heading the Madhya Pradesh unit does come your way, how will you deal with the challenges given that the state has been under BJP rule for the past three terms?

The challenge in Madhya Pradesh is not only to oppose the BJP government there but also to expose it. The BJP believes only in politics of slogans. There have been many scams and scandals and we have been raising them in public. We have to give a call to people to come with us and work on the ground. The party unit in the state is basically strong. What we need is a good organisation and a good strategy. That can deliver the change. Yes, it is not the job of one person and all of us will have to work together.

Are you not concerned about the results of the recent Assembly polls in five states, with the BJP forming the government in four states? 

In Uttar Pradesh the Congress was not a serious player and the fight was really between the BJP, the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). In Goa the Congress won 43 per cent of the seats against 32 per cent for the BJP but the saffron party manipulated the situation to form the government. Similarly, in Manipur the Congress won 47 per cent of the seats against the BJP’s 34 per cent, but the same story was repeated. In Punjab the BJP won just 2.5 per cent seats. In Uttarakhand, there was a split in the state Congress unit, which led to the loss but many ministers in the BJP government there are former Congress lawmakers. All in all, we did not fare too badly. 

But here is an aggressive BJP gradually moving ahead with its nationalist agenda. How does the Congress plan to counter this? 

There is a difference in the style of politics practised by the BJP and the Congress. The Congress is a sober and responsible party and behaves accordingly. The BJP has mastered the art of misleading, drafting catchy slogans and spreading lies. The BJP is playing the nationalist card as it is trying to divert attention from the real issues and the lack of development under its government over the past three years. But people are smart and will see through the game. The BJP uses religion for political gains but the two cannot be on the same page. We are also deeply religious but never use it as a political tool. 

How do you assess the three years of the BJP rule at the Centre? 

Farmers, traders, the youth are in distress as the BJP publicises its achievements. I want to ask which section of society has benefited under the Modi government.

We have been hearing about Rahul Gandhi’s impending promotion as Congress chief. When is that likely to take place? 

Rahul Gandhi is the de facto president of the party. He is taking key decisions. Rahul is bringing about changes in the party. He is arriving at a balance wherever needed. It is an opportunity for others, who did not get a chance to prove their mettle earlier. It would be good if Rahul takes over as Congress president soon but it for him to take a call. In the meanwhile, Sonia Gandhi is working fine as the party chief.

Sonia Gandhi is busy using the presidential polls ahead as an opportunity for Opposition parties to regroup against the BJP. Can this unity be extended to the 2019 general elections? 

The BJP came to power in 2014 by winning 282 of the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha. It got 31 per cent of the votes but the remaining 69 per cent of voters in the country did not opt for the saffron party. The BJP has to be defeated in 2019 and all Opposition parties have to keep this in mind. India is a complex country. In fact, it is the most complex country in the world. It has a large population of aspiring youth and other ambitious and talented people. The Congress needs to connect with these segments and project itself as their party. The United Progressive Alliance ruled for a decade before losing power in 2014. In comparison, the BJP’s popularity has been waning faster. This is because people are disenchanted with the Modi government, which has failed to deliver on its poll promises. 

You are the senior-most parliamentarian in the Congress serving a ninth consecutive term. What changes have you seen in the functioning of the institution? 

Well, there is no serious debate now, only sound and fury in the house. Many parties functioning today did not exist when I started off as a lawmaker 37 years ago. My politics is about the common man. I have been representing my parliamentary constituency Chhindwara for nine terms consecutively. It is a mission for me and I trust my voters, which generates faith in them. Simultaneously, people must also see development in the area which I have been pushing for.