Shreyas H S
Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Apr 3: Former union minister and Congress Lok Sabha candidate from Dakshina Kannada, B Janardhan Poojary sees immense potential in the youth and says as LS candidate he would seriously consider the problem of unemployment that is denting the prospects of youths and promises employment opportunities in the district.
Straightforward and outspoken, the man who is known for his sharp and sarcastic tongue is not one to mince words. Despite losing the last four elections, Poojary's spirit at the age of 76 is as upbeat as those half his age. A seasoned politician, Poojary won the elections from Dakshina Kannada in 1977, 1980, 1985 and 1989, and served as a finance minister under Indira Gandhi and continued as rural development minister under Rajiv Gandhi. He has also served in various capacities in the Congress at national and state levels.
In an exclusive interview with daijiworld, the self-proclaimed Narendra Modi critic chose to use the opportunity to 'expose' (as he said) Modi to the readers of daijiworld, while also meticulously delineating his views on issues ranging from development, PCPIR project to caste reservations.
'Battle with Modi'
In his usual manner, Poojary reiterated that the contest in the district is not between B Janardhan Poojary and the BJP. As he has said many times in public, he stressed that the BJP has resorted to the weak tactic of seeking votes in the name of Modi, hence there is no point in targeting the BJP candidate in DK, rather the electoral battle would be between him and Narendra Modi. Even as he said all this, he took did not mention the name of BJP candidate Nalin Kumar Kateel and declined to comment on him saying one should 'maintain dignity'.
"The reason I am talking about Modi is, he is telling people that he has created 'swarg' (heaven) in Gujarat. What is the progress that has been done in Gujarat? The entire country is being misled. Poojary has got the courage to tell, Poojary has got the courage to ask 'Modiji, please answer these questions - What development have you done in your state? Your budget for 2006-07 was 27,815 crores - that is the revenue collection, and for 2012-13 was 25,905 crores - it has come down - why? It that progress? Can anybody twist your budget. Is it not true that your agricultural growth has declined? Why have 800 farmers committed suicide? Four lac farmers are waiting for electric connection to pumps. You have taken away their lands and given to big industries'. The fight is between industrialists and the common man."
He further said, "Modi is not attending any press conference. He is not giving interview to any national or state channels. He does not want to face the media. Why? Is there any growth in agricultural sector? Has he created employment in his state? He should answer. It is Modiji's duty to tell the truth to the nation.
Poojary also raised several other questions addressing Modi directly, on issues like 13 lac applications for 1500 posts in revenue department of Gujarat, purchase of power at the rate of Rs 13 per unit. "Is it not a scam, Modiji? Allow me to expose him. Let him answer by giving a statement to daijiworld or to the entire country," he said.
He also took a dig at Modi for claiming that Gujarat is a peaceful state, and pointed out that people like Maya Kodnani who was sentenced to life imprisonment for committing murder have been accomodated in his government. "You (Modi) are keeping all these things under the carpet. It is not heaven but hell you have created in Gujarat. It is fear you have created."
Asked whether he as a Congressmen would take responsibility for the poor state of Indian economy, he said, “Allow me to speak on Modi, not on Congress."
He also criticized the Congress for not exposing Modi during the last ten years and taking appropriate action against him.
"I pity that Congress party has failed to take action against Modi which is highly disappointing," he admitted. He tried to evade questions on whether there was any nexus between Modi and Congress.
Development and plans for district
When drawn into important issues of development and why people should vote for him, he said, "I have shown my performance as member of Lok Sabha and also as a minister. All the development works from bringing Konkan railways, MPRL-ONGC, national highways - Janardhan Poojary has fought for these projects. When I was finance minister I got these projects done through financial advisors in the different ministries."
Asked to list out proposals he has for the district if he were to win, he stressed on creating more jobs by bringing in industries which are eco-friendly.
Speaking on PCPIR (Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemicals Investment Region) project that stirred much debate in the district after he said he would make efforts to bring the project, he said, “I assure that I will not embark on any projects which people do not want. Poojary will not go against the will of the people."
However, softening his stand on the project, he said, "At the same time, lacs of people are coming of colleges seeking employment. We have to satisfy them also. Otherwise there will be a law and order situation. Naxalism came up because there were no jobs and no food to eat. The Congress in its manifesto has assured employment generation for 10 crore people, out of these some portion I will bring to the district," he said.
He said if the project comes up in the district it would serve as an employment mechanism, providing 15 lac jobs directly and 20 lac indirectly. He said there are some projects within the PCPIR which are not harmful to the environment. He blamed the BJP for spreading canards about the projects to create a wrong notion in the minds of the people.
"People of the district should cast their votes for me to bring about a complete turnaround to the district and herald a season of spring in the lives of poor," he said.
When quizzed on other prospects, he said he will work hard for welfare of the poor people of the district, get jobs for people here and change the plight of the people.
Issues and chances of victory
“I have been camping in the constituency for five years ever since after I lost the last elections. I have been attending funerals all these years and carried dead bodies on my shoulder sharing their grief. When around 160 people died in the Mangalore air crash, I rushed there in the early morning and helped carried bodies. I tried to console the kin of victims. I fought for their relief," he said.
He also batted for reservations for GSB and Brahmins and said it is duty of the country to look after all citizens. "There are poor people among Brahmins also. That is why I raised my voice, and it has reached Delhi. Indian National Congress president Sonia Gandhi announced that they will be given reservation in jobs and education. That is the commitment of Sonia Gandhi," he said.
Waxing eloqent about Sonia Gandhi, he said, "Prime Ministerial post was offered to her, but she rejected it. When she lost her husband Rajiv Gandhi, canards were spread about her, that she will leave the country. She did not leave. She built the country. She is looking after the poor people. Food Security Bill, RTE...so many benefits she has given."
He also strongly denied that his previous defeats were because of rift within the Congress and said it was a rumour spread by the Sangh Parivar and the BJP.
On the issues of hike in property tax in the city, he said MLAs J R Lobo and Mohiuddin Bava committed a mistake due to the mischief played by officials. "Lobo is new to politics and did not know the implication of signing the papers. But he had the courage to say sorry and admit his mistake, and so also Bava. We have to appreciate the character of Lobo and Bava. Our past record proves that we will not allow it and we will stick to it."
When asked why he refers to Nalin Kumar Kateel as Nalin Kumar Shetty, he said one should be proud of the community one belongs to and there is nothing wrong in using one's surname whether its Shetty, Poojary or Rai.
When asked to point out mistakes committed by other leaders when he was not in power in the district, he refused to comment and quipped, "You are trying to put words in my mouth and make me criticize Nalin Kumar. I was a leading lawyer with a lucrative practice."
On his chances of winning the elections, he said, "People are with me. We got seven out of eight Assembly seats. This time people will bless me."
Watch Full Interview
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