Rashtriya Lok Morch (RLM) President and Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha is one of the leading partners of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar and a prominent OBC community is a prominent leader of Kushwahas. In an interview before the state assembly elections, Mr. Kushwaha told Hindu If the NDA is voted in power, he will continue as the Chief Minister of Bihar, but refused to speculate on the seat-sharing system within the NDA.
How do you see the voter Adhikar Yatra under the leadership of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi?
This journey is useless because the public is not looking at the head (special intensive amendment of the electoral role) as an issue. Initially, I also expressed apprehension about how SIR could be completed in such a short time, keeping in mind the assembly elections; ECI should have held it long ago. I saw everything, people’s reactions and also as the intervention of the Supreme Court. Currently, in the eyes of the public, this is not an issue. Rahul Gandhi wanted to take political advantage but people did not accept it. For me, he started with zero and ended with zero.
Nitish Kumar has been the Chief Minister for the last 20 years, so why do you think people will vote once again? Is there not a factor in anti-incumbency Bihar?
Generally, when a person or an alliance is in power for 15 or more than 20 years, there is an anti-opposing clear response. In the case of Bihar, this is not and one of the reasons. I visited several villages, where people complained that nothing has been done in many areas in the last 20 years. Then I asked him who they trust and who is the person who can do his work. Then people showed confidence in the NDA government and there is a belief in his mind that Nitish Kumar has worked, so he will do it again. If this is the situation, then the disgrace will appear anti -unrelated, but will not be effective because even today, people trust the NDA government, in the Prime Minister and in Nitish ji.
Do you believe that if the NDA forms the government, then Nitish Kumar will continue as CM?
I am 100% sure, there is no confusion in it. The election will be held in Bihar under the leadership of Nitish ji and the next government will be formed only under his leadership. There are no IFS about this.
The opposition always questions Nitish Kumar’s health, alleging that it does not fit physically and mentally to run the state.
All this is rubbish. As far as the opposition is concerned, they have no issue to raise. His health is not what the opposition is saying. Every day, he is busy with government programs, it is an opening, laying the foundation stone, or organizing a review. If a CM is working 16 to 18 hours a day and if someone says that he is not fit, it is completely nonsense.
On many occasions, you have said that Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar should enter politics.
I did not say that he should enter politics, I said that Nitish ji has two responsibilities. One has been looking at the state as CM for the last 20 years. Therefore, people should continue to benefit and remain CM. However, he should also think about his responsibility for the party (as he is the national president of the Janata Dal (United)). What he will think about it and how, it is above him; This is a suggestion that I have given to him.
How do you see Prashant Kishore, the founder of John Suraj Party? Do you consider him to challenge him in the upcoming assembly elections?
In today’s scenario of Bihar elections, I can only see a fight between NDA and Mahagatdanan. I cannot see anyone except these two, so there is no point in discussing it.
How many seats will be found in Rashtriya Lok Morcha in NDA?
I cannot discuss the number of seats of RLM in the media. I will discuss this on the appropriate platform and after discussion, I will be able to tell you about it.
Other NDA colleagues, such as Gitan Ram Manjhi and Chirg Paswan, are all saying that they will not accept any compromise on respectable seats. What are these respectable seats?
Only they can say what are respectable seats. Whose honor is saved and maintained is how many seats and whose respect is equal to how many seats, I cannot tell, only they can tell. I will not react to them.
In your view, what can be respectable seats?
You are asking the same question in a different way. My answer is the same, that it will be discussed in the discussion table, not outside.
In the context of the election, you recently said that you will not drown alone, but all the rest will be drowned with you.
I did not say, I will take everyone. For example, suppose the roof of this room falls, it is not that only you or only I will be injured, both of us will be injured. In that context, I said that there are people who are on a boat and if the boat sinks, I will not drown alone, we will all drown regardless of anyone’s mistake.
You are known as a leader who has never compromised on his existence. Is there any chance, if the situation changes, you can leave the NDA?
I am not a person who thinks negative, I always think positively. Why should I pay attention to beliefs? I believe that whatever happens will be good, so the situation you are discussing is just no meaning as imagination.
How is NDA preparations going on for the upcoming assembly elections?
Preparations are running at 100% and we are just waiting for the Election Commission to move forward. As soon as a formal announcement is made, we will all jump into the field. NDA is strong preparations in all 243 seats. We will all contest elections together and win the NDA election.
The opposition always says that the constitution is in danger and the Modi government wants to end the reservation system…
Opposition people also used to say that the caste census will not be organized by the present government at the census center. Now, caste census will be held. The opposition says that it does not matter, they keep saying anything for political gains and to divert people’s attention. The roots of the constitution given by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar are so strong that no one can dare to shake it. Under the leadership of PM Modi, no one can touch it and the country is alive due to the constitution.
What issues are you planning to go to people to get their votes?
Issues development on education and health front, unemployment among youth, happiness among farmers, so that the agriculture sector can be booked and more jobs can be generated. Everyone should get the benefits of development, even the marginalized people standing in the last line. Development and development should not be limited to some people.
The India block recently came up with a 10-point resolution for extremely backward classes (EBCs), promising a special law to protect from atrocities. How important are EBCs?
I also agree with the situation of EBC, but the way they are saying. There is no doubt that in villages, the situation of EBC is equal to Dalits or worse at some places. I do not know when and what kind of work should be done is their thinking. They do not have anything, so they are only offering such things. Thoughtful decisions are required, but it is a fact that EBCs face such atrocities.
Your long pending demand is reservation in the judiciary.
Not that way, but yes, I have said that every part of the society is not represented in the judiciary. There is no diversity and the reason for this is that the selection process is incorrect, unconstitutional and undemocratic. If undemocratic and unconstitutional work is found in the Supreme Court and the judiciary, how can we move forward? Those whose family members have been judges in the Supreme Court and the High Courts get more opportunities. Despite any caste and religion, even if a person is highly educated and excellent in studies, if they do not have money, power and background of judges, they can never become a judge. I want this barrier to be removed. I have also given a solution. The way there is an open competition for IAS and IPS posts, and those who compete, they receive posts, either rich or poor; Similarly, there should also be an open competition to become a judge.
