Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 4: Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev, who recently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after quitting the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has said the BJP's ideological clarity, organisational structure and growing presence in the Northeast influenced her decision to join the ruling party.

In an interview with The Indian Express, Dev reflected on her political journey through the Congress, TMC and BJP, explaining the reasons behind her departure from her former parties.

Dev began her political career with the Congress' student wing, the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), and remained with the party until 2021 before joining the TMC. She said her move to the TMC did not represent a major ideological shift since Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself had emerged from the Congress.

However, she said she later realised that the TMC's support base was largely centred around Banerjee's leadership rather than ideology.

Drawing a comparison between the Congress and the BJP, Dev said the Congress has traditionally attracted voters with its ideological identity, while the BJP has consistently remained committed to its ideological foundations irrespective of whether it was in power or in the Opposition.

Commenting on internal functioning, she described the Congress as appearing democratic through regular review meetings after elections but lacking consensus during implementation. She also claimed that decision-making in the TMC was highly centralised under Mamata Banerjee.

Rejecting criticism that power in the BJP is concentrated only with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Dev said BJP MPs have access to guardian ministers, party leaders and the organisational network, providing multiple channels for communication.

Although she said she has not personally met leaders of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Dev stated that experienced Sangh functionaries remain closely associated with the parliamentary system.

Responding to criticism of the RSS by Congress leaders, she argued that while the Congress revolves around the Gandhi family, the BJP's ideological guidance comes from the broader Sangh Parivar.

"Both have a 'parivar'. On one side it is the first family, while on the other it is the Sangh Parivar. But the Sangh Parivar is a much larger institution and more democratic than one family," she said.

Dev also criticised the Congress for what she described as ideological inconsistency in forming alliances with different regional parties over the years, saying the party had diluted the principles it once stood for.

Explaining her decision to leave the TMC, she said it was difficult for the party to expand beyond West Bengal and that she believed the BJP offered greater opportunities to work for the people of Assam and the Northeast over the long term.

She said discussions with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Home Minister Amit Shah convinced her that the BJP was the appropriate political platform for the next phase of her career.

Recalling her early years in student politics, Dev admitted that she had once opposed the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and had been "allergic to saffron", but said her views changed over time.

On the debate over revisions to school curricula, she alleged that previous governments had primarily highlighted the contributions of Congress leaders in the Independence movement and argued that educational content should reflect the contributions of leaders representing different ideological traditions.

Commenting on the Centre's handling of protests over the alleged NEET paper leak, Dev defended the government's response, saying it had introduced new legislation and taken steps to address the issue.

She said the question of whether the force used against protesters was proportionate was before the courts but maintained that the government also had a responsibility to ensure the security of Parliament.

Responding to criticism by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge over the police action against protesters, Dev accused the Opposition of making politically motivated allegations and argued that decisions on law enforcement follow established legal procedures.

She also expressed concern over the declining quality of parliamentary debate, saying Members of Parliament should maintain decorum and avoid using language more suited to election rallies.

Speaking about young protesters, Dev said authorities should be understanding towards Gen Z, while adding that students who unknowingly purchased leaked examination papers should not be treated on par with those responsible for leaking them.

Reflecting on her transition from the Opposition to the ruling alliance, Dev said attending NDA meetings had given her a broader understanding of the work being carried out by the Union government.

She added that after seeing the government's functioning from within, she believes the BJP needs to do more to communicate its achievements to the public.