‘I speak for everyone — all 26 candidates of BJP in Gujarat have been chosen by the party. The party decides all’: Union minister, first-time LS poll candidate

The BJP’s election management happens at three levels. First is the preparedness of the party’s state unit; the second is the planning of our district units; and third is choosing the candidates. The candidate adds to this as per his abilities. To illustrate: the party opened its election offices in all 26 Lok Sabha constituencies in Gujarat as early as January 23. I was selected as a candidate for this (Rajkot) seat. Our state unit and district units were all geared up before that. The moment I landed here, I was able to kickstart my campaign… (And while) I contested my last election in 2002, I have had a presence in all elections (in the state).

To draw from volleyball, we are as prepared as defenders who want to block the ball at the net itself.

* You are from Amreli. Why did you not choose to contest from there?

It is not just me — and I can answer on behalf of everyone — all the 26 candidates in Gujarat have been chosen by the party. The party decides. We are workers.

* But could Amreli have been easier for you?

The party decides.

* How are you seeing the challenge of contesting Lok Sabha polls?

It is not about me. It is all about the strength of our party. If it is not a tough ask for the party, then it is not for me either. This applies to all 26 seats.

* The BJP-led NDA wants to win 400 seats, and in Gujarat, all 26 Lok Sabha constituencies by a margin of 5 lakh votes. What signal does the party want to send with these targets?

We want to send a signal that the country should have a strong government.

If the country has limping governments, such governments can’t perform at world level. A government that gets sleepless nights over its future cannot make decisions. We have experienced it first-hand. Vajpayee was leading one such (coalition) government. And then look at the experience of Modi leading the past two governments. In 2014, we got a government with a clear majority. In 2019, we had a government with a stronger majority. Thanks to such developments, the world’s view of India changes… When the moment comes to take decisions in the interest of the nation, if we have governments with such (popular) support, those leading the governments feel a kind of warmth and they can make efforts to show it to the world that the nation is with the rulers.

* The Opposition alleges that the BJP government wants to decimate them, and is using the Income Tax department, Enforcement Directorate (ED), CBI…

If Rs 350 crore in cash is detected (referring to a case from December 2023 allegedly involving Congress Rajya Sabha MP Dhiraj Sahu), are we supposed to send a primary teacher (for a probe)? Such hauls can be unearthed only by them (Central agencies).

* The arrests of Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha… How do you view these?

Why was Kejriwal not appearing (before the ED)? Doesn’t he trust the judiciary? The Supreme Court has lambasted our government… many judgments have gone against us. But do we ever say that we won’t respond to Supreme Court summons? As a matter of fact, we appear before the Court and respect its judgments. If we are wrong, we apologise.

* Farmers from Punjab and Haryana have been protesting.

Are protests happening anywhere else in the country this time round? Vested interests in those states are fighting in the name of farmers.

* Has the political landscape in Gujarat changed post the Patidar quota stir?

There was disruption when the quota stir was launched (before the 2017 Assembly elections). I am among the few leaders who had to face it physically. But eventually, people learnt the truth.

* What would you call your challenges as Union minister?

For the first time, this country has a PM who is focused on the rural economy. He set up a Cooperatives Department. Amul started out with a production capacity of 250 litres of milk and now it is 3 crore litres, with a turnover of Rs 80,000 crore annually. All sugar mills of our state are run by cooperatives and 90% farmers of our state avail credit through cooperative societies.

Across the country, there are eight lakh PACS (Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies). Today, there is an independent ministry dealing with this under an efficient minister like Amitbhai (Shah).

Animal husbandry in our country was completely at the mercy of god. The PM has created an independent ministry for animal husbandry and dairying. We provided Rs 8,500 crore worth of infrastructure funds for supporting dairy infrastructure.

However, an issue plaguing our fisheries industry that needs attention is the arrest of hundreds of Indian fishermen by Pakistan every year. Pakistan eventually releases the fishermen but doesn’t repatriate their fishing boats. The government has been successful in securing the repatriation of 2,639 Indian fishermen from Pakistan’s custody since 2014… but a few are still there. We have this problem with Sri Lanka also.

To provide the fishermen technical support, ISRO has developed a transponder which can alert them about the border line in the sea waters…

We expect it (Pakistan) to behave as a good neighbour. It will be more beneficial to them than us… Modi’s vision is to have very good relations with neighbours. Today, India has no enemies.

* You are known for your oratory skills. How important is that for success in politics?

I don’t look at it as a skill important only in politics. It is part of our tradition. The country used to listen to Atal Bihari Vajpayee. When Modi saheb joined politics after emerging from the RSS, people started gathering to listen to him also. I had the opportunity to tour with him, including during the Gujarat Gaurav Yatra (of 2002)… We would reach at 11:30 pm for a public meeting originally scheduled for 8 pm. Despite it being so late, we would discover jam-packed venues…