Lok Sabha polls 2024 have doubled the heat of summers in Hazaribag and other parts of the country. Big parties of the country have declared their candidates in many states of the country. At many places, BJP seems to be getting seats without any confrontation, while at many places Congress is trying hard to defeat BJP.

In Hazaribag Lok Sabha elections, BJP's Manish Jaiswal and Congress' Jai Prakash Bhai Patel are facing each other. In the backdrop of Lok Sabha elections former Presidential candidate, former Union Finance and External Affairs Minister and a former IAS officer, Yashwant Sinha, talked to the Pioneer at length on several issues pertaining to elections, political situation in the country and democratic institutions. Excerpts:  

You have spent a long time in politics. What difference do you find between today's politics and politics of your era?

I left the administrative service and became a member of Janata Party in 1984 to serve the masses and after merger with Janata Dal, I contributed as a Union Minister in the government of former Prime Minister Chandrashekhar with many important posts in the party. He was a member of BJP from 1993 to 2018 and contributed to important ministries like Finance and External Affairs in the government along with many important posts in the party. That was a time when we rose above the animosity and all the members, whether of the opposition or the government, respected each other. Whenever our government was formed, it rose above the victory and defeat of the party and worked for the people of the country.

What is the difference between Atal ji and Advani ji's BJP and today's BJP?

There is a world of difference between Atal ji and Advani ji's BJP and today's BJP. Today BJP has become a one man party and no one has respect in the party. During the time of Atal and Advani ji, we used to take care not only of our party but also of the opposition members. I would like to tell you about an incident. In 2001, there was a terrorist attack on the Parliament. Atal ji called Sonia ji and asked about her well-being, whether she was safe or not. We never considered the opposition as our enemy. Opposition has an important role in the democratic system. Today's government is engaged in eliminating the opposition. This path is leading to monarchy which is completely wrong. The opposition is being sent to jail, whereas when a corrupt person joins the party, he becomes a clean personality; no one in the party has any respect. All the party members as well as the opposition members are scared. An atmosphere of fear has been created and no one is feeling safe.

What would you like to say about the current Union Finance and External Affairs Minister?

I would like to say about today's current Finance and Foreign Minister that both of them have no place in the government. There is one person government and all the ministries are headed by one person. I want to ask the Foreign Minister that you are not aware that under an agreement, Kachchi Dipu was a part of Sri Lanka which was given to Sri Lanka during the tenure of former Prime Minister Indira Ji. Today, the Prime Minister is lying that former Prime Minister Indira ji had given Kachhi Dipu, a small island, to Sri Lanka. BJP is saying anything to get votes, they talk about surgical strikes but never discuss Pulwama.

The opposition is in a very weak position today. What should the opposition do? How will there be change in politics?

Opposition, especially Congress, needs to come to a stronger position. Regional parties including the central one need to work together. There will come a time when there will be a change in politics. There was a change in 1991 when the Congress government was ousted. Circumstances make or strengthen .At some point there will be change.

Two Chief Ministers of two states of the country are in jail. Is corruption ending or is the opposition ending?

No one is guilty until the court gives its verdict. Central government is misusing government agencies. Especially at the time of elections, BJP wants to win the elections by crippling the opposition. You are honest only as long as the government is yours, the day the government changes, your condition will worsen.

Today BJP is taking credit for the issues of Article 370 and Ram Mandir in the elections. What would you like to say?

I believe that Article 370 was already dead, the BJP government has just declared it dead. The same decision regarding Ram Mandir is of the court. Ram temple is a religious issue which should be banned by the Election Commission but the Commission does not have the power to do anything against the Prime Minister.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee says that CAA and NRC will not be implemented in Bengal?

What the BJP government wants to bring is already in the Constitution. All the oppressed should get citizenship. Identifying citizens on the basis of religion is against the Constitution. Be it Muslims or people of other religions, all those who are persecuted should get citizenship.

The BJP government wants to bring a Population Control Bill and Uniform Civil Code. What would you like to say?

Any bill related to the benefit of the masses must be brought and the issues should be resolved. Issues should not be kept hanging.

BJP is claiming that it will form the government by winning more than 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections? The opposition is claiming to distribute freebies to win the elections. What would you like to say?

Be it BJP or opposition, who is more powerful will be known after the decision is taken. But, the way the parties are unnecessarily assuring the public of giving freebies to win the elections, it is not in the interest of the country. No party should make such a promise which will affect the economic condition of the country .If any party provides anything for free after winning the elections, then the country will become weak. I am very worried about this, this should not happen.

Despite being an eligible candidate, BJP has not given Lok Sabha ticket to Jayant Sinha. Is the party giving him any other post?

I wouldn't like to say anything specific on this but I don't think so. If the party had to make any announcement, it would have done so.

What would you like to say about the current BJP candidate?

The people of Hazaribag Lok Sabha constituency know about all. I just want a candidate with a clean image to win from this Lok Sabha seat. Do not show off in front of the public. They should work for the people of this area and not indulge in looting. The people of the area should get relief from mafia rule.

You are giving your blessings to the Congress candidate in Hazaribag Lok Sabha elections while the condition of Congress in the country is very bad. How appropriate is it to support Jai Prakash Bhai Patel?

I have a lot of connections with the people of Hazaribag. Today I am not a member of any party but I always stand like a guardian for the country and especially the common people of Hazaribag and I cannot see Hazaribag getting trapped in the clutches of the mafia. Hazaribag does not need a candidate who is true to his public works and who loots at night and does a little bit of division among the people during the day, wearing a mask. The people here should understand which candidate is right and who is wrong.