Nothing final (on alliance)… only option we don’t have is BJP: Sheila Dikshit

It is a big challenge, there is no doubt… The planning is being done well, so we hope that we will come out victorious.

The SP, BSP, BJP have captive vote base, while the Congress vote bank has eroded.

The Congress appeals to everybody. It is not confined to a particular caste, community… We will appeal to everybody. For us, every vote, no matter who it is, which caste it may be, matters… Our aim is to make UP advanced — materially and development wise. It is the biggest state, but is far behind in development.

As Delhi Chief Minister, you were considered a good administrator. But UP is a different ball game.

When I came to Delhi, I was supposed to be politically new here. But we managed, and Delhi has a far more varied population… We will have the same approach in UP.

The perception is that you have been picked with an eye on the Brahmin vote. What is your view?

As a Congress member, and as somebody who has worked for the Congress in every political space, I don’t go by my personal view. I go by what my party asks me to do… I have a political track record and that is why I am here.

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You were out of active politics after the Congress’s defeat in 2013. Were you surprised when the party chose you ?

Yes I was. I am grateful to the high command for having chosen me. It is a challenging task and I hope I will be able to live up to their expectations.

What was Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi’s message?

Their message is that… they have given me their message by just sending me there. They want the best from me.

Whose idea was it to make you the chief ministerial face. Many believe Priyanka Vadra was the force behind it.

I have no idea. These are all being talked about or written about. But for me, it is the high command which has given me this opportunity. Priyanka is there, and she is a great asset to the Congress. We, and the voters, just love her and people would also like her… It is her decision. She has to take a decision. In the same way, Rahul will decide how much he would like to get involved… We know that people would want them there.

There was talk in your party about a generational change. But of late, experienced leaders are being given important assignments.

The youth have to be encouraged… they will always be more than welcome… But if the senior is capable or willing… the seniors will also be given charge. It is like a family… we don’t discard all the seniors of the family, but you also bring up the youngsters and train them for future responsibilities.

The Congress tasted victory in Bihar with its grand alliance. In UP, you don’t have that kind of alliance. Now that you have been made the CM face, is it a signal that the Congress wants to go it alone?

No, I don’t think anything can be final. Let us see how it develops. It is the beginning… if groups have to come together or not, this decision will be taken collectively by their parties and by us.

Is the BSP an option when it comes to the question of an alliance?

Well, the only option that we don’t have is the BJP, because their ideology is communal and not inclusive… So, whoever is inclusive… this will be something which will be decided later, not today.

In Bihar, we saw the alliance countering the BJP with the “Bihari vs Bahari” slogan. Do you think there will be a similar campaign against you in UP?

No, every situation is different in politics. Every time you have a new election… I am married into a family which belongs to UP. I started my political career from UP. The first Lok Sabha election I contested was from UP. I became a minister from UP. So, please don’t think that I am not from UP.

What about the allegations against you, the latest being the tanker scam.

These are all politically motivated. I believe an FIR went to the ACB, and they have said nothing.

When Ghulam Nabi Azad announced your name, he indicated that you may not contest the elections.

No final decision has been taken yet… First, let us win the election… He probably meant that we will see what happens. The distribution of tickets, who is going to contest, who is not going to contest and all that will come up some time in October-November.