‘Onion exports have been controlled, not banned’, says sitting Ahmednagar BJP MP Sujay Vikhe-Patil

Excerpts from the interview:

What kind of turnout are you expecting for PM Modi’s rally on May 7?

Sujay Vikhe-Patil: PM Modi has postponed the Maharashtra tour and instead of May 6, the rally will be held on May 7. There will not be a huge issue in mobilising people. So much work has been done under the PM, people are very positive and enthusiastic and will come out in large numbers on their own. We are estimating a crowd of approximately 50-60,000 people. People will be coming from rural areas, and special arrangements will be made to ensure that they are properly transported. Due to the hot weather conditions, we are taking steps to ensure there is no case of heat stroke.

How do you respond to charges that you have been inaccessible to the public?

Sujay Vikhe-Patil: If I was inaccessible then how has there been development in the district? The only difference is that if the rival candidate (Nilesh Lanke from NCP-SP) considers himself to be too accessible, then he should give a list of the development works that he has done as an MLA of the ruling party for four and a half years. (Lanke had quit as MLA of the Parner assembly constituency and left the NCP-Ajit Pawar group to join the NCP-SP faction to contest the Lok Sabha elections). He does not have the honesty to say so.

There has been an exchange of below-the-belt remarks between you and your rival. What do you have to say about that?

Sujay Vikhe-Patil: It is an unfortunate thing happening in today’s politics. People are not used to these things. I have never spoken below the belt – I can only talk about the character of the rival candidate and his performance in his own constituency for the past four and a half years. Unfortunately, people fail to realise that this is an election for the nation – people are talking about issues related to gram panchayat. One has to realise that it is a fight for the nation’s development and GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Unfortunately, local issues are popping up.

So what is it that you are telling the people about the work that you have done?

Sujay Vikhe-Patil: Vote for me because I do not threaten anyone. How will people be secure under his (rival candidate’s) leadership when two days ago, in front of people and media, he threatened the police department? I have done all the development people expected from me and if they want their children’s future to be in secure hands they will vote for me. When the results are declared on June 4, my highest lead will be from his assembly segment (Parner).

What has been done to tackle the issue of water scarcity in Ahmednagar?

Sujay Vikhe-Patil: This is a drought-prone area and a natural calamity cannot be blamed on a sitting MP. Regarding the availability of water, we have taken up water conservation measures and for these to be effective, rainfall is needed.

Onion growers were upset over the ban on exports which led to a crash in prices. Please comment.

Sujay Vikhe-Patil: There was never an export ban. The only difference is that earlier it was an open export and now it is controlled. The government has allowed export but only through government subsidy companies. Instead of blindly exporting to neighbouring countries – especially those that are a threat to us –friendly countries are being given preference. This is a political decision and applications from neighbouring countries are decided by the external affairs ministry. Based on good diplomatic ties, it is then calculated what quantities are to be exported. Hence it is a controlled export. Unfortunately, this new process is difficult for people to understand.