"My leaders were looking for a universally acceptable face"

But the Congress says that the BJP has already accepted its defeat by changing the leadership at this crucial time?
That is the Congress’ viewpoint. But the people don’t think this way. This is my fourth day in the office and I can see that people who matter to my party have already accepted me. The Congress can continue to think what they want.

But then why were you chosen? Madan Lal Khurana could also have been chosen…
My party leaders were looking for a universally acceptable face. I’m not saying that Sahib Singh and Madan Lal Khurana are not acceptable to the people. Venkaiah Naidu, who is the BJP in-charge for Delhi, had met several local leaders at the block and district levels. It is he who said that Sushma is acceptable to the party workers as well as to the Delhiites. My party wanted a smooth transfer. So they found that I was universally acceptable and the electorate can be told that here is a leader underwhom Delhi can be governed.

What was wrong with Sahib Singh?
There was nothing wrong with Sahib Singh. In fact, in the past five years, the BJP Government had several achievements to be proud of. Only in past six months, there were some major problems related to law and order, power and water supply. This crisis situation was not entirely the responsibility of the State Government, as these subjects come under the Central Government. But the public cannot differentiate. They had voted my party into power at the State level and they hold the State Government responsible for everything that happens in the city. Thus it was important to bring about a change in the leadership.

Don’t you think some embarrassing decisions like the removal of churches from the list of religious places forced the top party leadership to bring about a change?
Our party was never in favour of the removal of churches from the list of religious places. Our Prime Minister categorically said in Parliament that thedecision of the State Government had been reversed. Let me make it clear that the past Chief Ministers of my party have not done anything which is embarrassing or would make me difficult to work. We are not going to the elections with our heads hanging in shame.

Initially, you made it clear that you were reluctant to take this responsibility. It was imposed on you from the top?
I had said two things. One that when I was asked whether I would like to take up the responsibility, I expressed in the negative but then it was my personal opinion. Secondly, I said my party leaders reposed their faith in me and asked me to take up the responsibility in view of the forthcoming Assembly elections. Thus there is no question of imposing it on me. I feel honoured that the party has expressed confidence in me.

With less than 40 days left for the elections, Jats, a sizeable vote bank in Outer Delhi constituencies, have already announced that they would not vote for the BJP owing to the `unceremonious’ removalof Sahib Singh.

This is a very natural reaction on their part. Sahib Singh is a disciplined soldier of the party and was able to reconcile with the party’s decision within 24 hours. I can understand that his supporters would take a little more time to understand it. My own profile is not anti-farmer and anti-poor.

Moreover, I also belong to the same neighbourhood. I understand their language and their problems. I am sure that they will solidly support me and my party.

With your arrival, the factionalism in the local BJP — led by Madan Lal Khurana and Sahib Singh — is more clear than ever before. How will you tackle them?
Even if there are factions in the party, I am above all factionalism. Loyalty to the party and not to individuals is what being held in high esteem in our organisation.

What is your strategy for the elections?
I have already conveyed the message of effectiveness of my government by taking some important steps. I have adopted an aggressive posture against theproblems of law and order and onion prices. Even six weeks would have been enough for me, if there was no code of conduct. I would have at least hired and fired people to streamline the administration my way and would have announced certain things for the betterment of the people.

There are apprehensions that you would not stay in Delhi politics for long, as evident from the fact that you have not resigned from Parliament so far.

I have told even earlier that I am here to stay in Delhi politics. I am going to contest from an Assembly seat. It is my privilege whether to retain the Lok Sabha seat or not.

How many marks out of 10 will you give the Delhi government for its five years?
It is not fair on my part to rate the performance. I think Sahib Singh and Madan Lal Khurana should be asked to rate their respective performances.