Ram temple not a poll issue for BJP: Devendra Fadnavis

Ram temple is a commitment given by the BJP. But it is not an election issue for the party. For us, it is a matter of identity and faith. Especially, when so many people firmly believe in the cause. The BJP has never looked at it to serve vested political interests.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat wants the government to bring a law to build Ram temple.

Yes. But the RSS chief has spoken about this even in the past. Therefore, it would be unfair to equate his statement with the elections next year. The Ram mandir already exists. What we are discussing is building a magnificent temple at Ayodhya. There are only two ways to do it. The Parliament can make a law. In the past, it had done so in case of Somnath temple. Else, the court has to give a decision… The problem with making a law is that the Congress is unlikely to support the Ram temple. The BJP does not have a majority in the Rajya Sabha, which is mandatory to get the law passed. We hope the court will give a positive decision on the matter.

Also read | Ram temple not a poll issue for BJP: Devendra Fadnavis

Uddhav is going to Ayodhya. Is Sena hijacking BJP’s Hindutva agenda?

There is no question of anybody hijacking anybody’s issues. On the contrary, I am happy. Till now, BJP was the only party talking of Ram mandir. If Sena has also taken up the issue, it brings greater support and strength to the cause. In the past, late Bal Thackeray had accepted Hindutva. I feel the Shiv Sena is going back to the roots.

What will be the fate of the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance?

The Sena and BJP have not initiated the process formally as yet. But we are hopeful of entering into a pre-poll alliance. At the same time, we are prepared for all options. We have set up our booths in constituencies. I will also tour all 48 Lok Sabha seats. Uddhav is also touring. But then it does not mean we are working at crossroads.

The political reality is if Congress and NCP unite, we contest separately, our votes will split. It will affect both Sena and BJP… If Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad or Mayawati and Mulayam Singh can come together, what is the problem with BJP and Sena allying, which has always co-existed and worked together.

But Sena has been most critical of the Modi and Fadnavis governments.

I take it as positive criticism. Let us reflect on Uddhavji’s speech at the Dusshera rally (where Uddhav had said that BJP should either build the Ram temple or admit that it was a jumla). It was on Hindutva. Now, other than BJP, which party subscribes to the Hindutva ideology? I don’t believe Uddhavji will allow division of Hindutva votes and go the extra mile to get pseudo seculars like Congress and NCP, who are scared to even utter the word Hindutva. In any case, which party would like to set the its own house of fire and sit and enjoy.

Are you talking about pre-poll alliance for Lok Sabha?

The BJP wants to have pre-poll alliance with Shiv Sena for both Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly elections.

At the end of four years, what are the challenges ahead?

I feel drought is a serious concern. But I am confident we shall overcome this hurdle. We have already introduced relief initiatives. The state will deal with the issue on war-footing.

Jalyukt Shivar, the flagship project for drought mitigation, has invited criticism from Opposition.

Surplus food production, despite failed monsoons for the last two years, is an outcome of the Jalyukt Shivar project. The production of food grain has increased by 45 per cent. The project has helped farmers take at least two decent crops. In last four years, 5.57 lakh projects were completed in 16,522 drought-hit villages. It helped build water storage capacity of 24 lakh TMC. The irrigation potential created was 34.23 lakh hectares. While the total expenditure was just Rs 7,692 crore, the people’s contribution towards the work was Rs 638 crore. The power used in agriculture pumps by farmers increased by 27 per cent, despite 77 per cent rainfall, which speaks about the success of Jalyukt Shivar. In Marathwada, where average rainfall was 50 per cent, the crops partly survived because of Jalyukt Shivar.

Why are farmers unhappy despite loan waiver?

It’s not true. Our government has given the biggest ever farm loan waiver of Rs 21,500 crore to 47 lakh farmers. The amount has been directly credited to their bank accounts. So, there is a sense of satisfaction, as farmers are no longer subjected to exploitation by officials in financial institutions or middlemen. In last four years, Rs 51,242 crore has been allocated for the agriculture sector through crop insurance as well as loan and relief schemes. During the Congress-NCP tenure, they gave just Rs 4,000 crore as loan waiver. It is my challenge to them to make public their list of beneficiaries.

How would you explain the failure to make headway in the irrigation scam? Has the government absolved politicians?

In 113 irrigation projects, FIRs has been filed. When there is rampant corruption, it is evident that either the minister was hand in glove or is grossly incompetent. The matter is in court. We will furnish all information sought by the court. In such cases, the role of the minister is looked into (by investigators) at last. At this moment, I would like to say that Ajit Pawar has not been absolved and the case is at the very crucial stage.

What will be the ramifications of the Maratha versus Dalit conflict?

Some people will try to trigger the issue but our approach is to provide honest solutions to their demand. So, those who want solutions will be satisfied. Those doing politics will remain unhappy. Under Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shikshan Shulk Yojna, we provided Rs 658 crore benefitting 2.6 lakh students from Maratha and other backward class communities. As many as Rs 550 crore has been allocated to help 2.5 lakh students. The people know our intentions are honest. They no longer trust Congress and NCP.

Why are the populist schemes like affordable housing not translating into reality?

We have handed over 2.5 lakh houses. We have made public the list of beneficiaries. The construction of 4.5 lakh houses in is progress. Every scheme we had promised has became a reality. We have built 60 lakh toilets in individual households.

You have always talked about making Maharashtra a defense hub? Will Rafale deal controversy affect investment in state?

In desperation, the Congress led by Rahul Gandhi is speaking lies about Rafale, which is bound to boomerang. People believe that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not allow any corruption.

In Mihan (Nagpur), the government has given land to Anil Ambani’s Reliance group. It is in partnership with French aerospace firm Dassault Aviation to manufacture defence components. It was a deal signed in the presence of French and Indian ministers. Let me make it clear, whether it is Ambani or Adani or anybody, the land price remains same for all. There is no question of favouring anyone.

How do you see infighting among the top two in CBI?

The CBI has always been a very credible institution. But if some actions question its credibility, then it should be dealt with utmost priority. And I think that’s what the government has done. It has always ensured CBI’s autonomy and that is why the CVC, who has powers to supervise the CBI, has initiated an inquiry.

Does it raise questions on the BJP government’s style of functioning?

It is neither a political game plan nor an attack on any institution. When two top functionaries are fighting with each other, then to protect the credibility of that institution, it is necessary to look into all allegations with utmost urgency. That’s what has been done. The development is unfortunate. But the Congress taking to streets on the matter has exposed its political opportunism.

Has industrial growth slowed down?

While the state has got Rs 3.36 lakh crore foreign direct investment, which accounts for almost 49 per cent of the total FDI the country has received, domestic industrial investments are ar Rs 1.64 lakh crore. All the MoUs, worth Rs 8 lakh crore, which were signed during ‘Make in India’ summit, are in various phases of progress. As many as 45 lakh jobs have been generated. Moreover, Maharashtra has become a start-up capital, leading with 2,130 out of total 10,950 such units registered in India.

Questions are being raised about the site of Shivaji statue and the boat mishap?

The Congress-NCP government had announced the project in 1999 but made no progress. In 2014, after our government came, we retained the same site, which had received clearances from every single authority — ministry of environment, Navy and all others. The accident occurred because the boat did not take the designated route. The remaining three boats did. Now, Elephanta Caves are ahead… and several boats ferry passengers to and fro daily… If you take the wrong path anywhere, it is bound to lead to a mishap.

How do you explain tainted ministers continuing in the Cabinet?

Each and every allegation against ministers made in the last four years has been probed. They have been given clean chits. There is no question of shielding any corrupt minister.

Why are incompetent ministers not being weeded out?

It is always team work. My ministers are not incompetent. One person, who may have shortcomings in some sector, could be very good in another. But I am ok with my Cabinet. Yes, reshuffle is very much on our agenda.