HT Interview: Rajnath Singh said, NDA will get clear majority in Bihar elections.

What are your expectations from Bihar elections?

National Democratic Alliance will get a clear majority. I am not alone, but even those experts who are not our supporters are accepting this. They also accept that we are winning. I also believe that a clear majority is given and I will not deny even a two-thirds majority.

Why is NDA winning even after being in power for 20 years while there are rumors about the health of the Chief Minister? Do you think the tasks are like distribution? Is the promise of Rs 10,000 to every woman, increase in old age pension and waiver of electricity bills playing a role in ensuring your victory?

From time to time steps are taken for social empowerment. The government also takes steps to increase the purchasing power of the people. But, when people compare the tenure of Nitish Kumar led NDA government in Bihar with the previous government. They realize that only the NDA government is capable of providing good governance. People have faith in our government. This confidence will bring victory.

Lalu Prasad Yadav has been out of power for the last two decades. Many voters included in the electorate during this period have not seen his rule. But by continuously chanting ‘Jungle Raj’, are you not creating an atmosphere of fear among the voters?

People are inspired by the image of political parties. They assess the image of the alliance. The BJP led alliance has successfully lived up to the expectations of the people. This is a big plus for us. On the other hand. People have not forgotten the image of Bihar that was created during the rule of Rashtriya Janata Dal. On the other hand, NDA broke that image and took Bihar forward on the path of development and progress. People trust us. He believes that he needs NDA for the future also. They also fear a return to earlier times. Those who did not see the RJD rule have heard about it. They naturally compare the leaders of the Grand Alliance (opposition alliance) and the NDA. Be it the Chief Minister of Bihar or the Prime Minister of India, people are inspired by his image.

You are involved in welfare politics and distribution Rs 10,000 to women. But isn’t much attention being paid towards industrializing the state, stopping migration and strengthening agriculture?

As far as industrialization is concerned, people understand that it can progress only when the law and order situation is strong. People are witness to the fact that the law and order situation has improved under the NDA rule. Infrastructure is being developed. The point is that the pace of industrialization is not what we want. This is why NDA has emphasized on this issue in its manifesto. We have put forward policies before the people like creating 100 MSME (Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises) parks and setting up one industry in every district. We have prepared the manifesto keeping in mind the expectations of the people.

During the current elections, the youth in Bihar were vocal about migration. They feel that they have no future in the state. Do they have no option but to leave the state for employment?

I would beg to differ. Earlier the feeling was strong that they would have to migrate. Today there has been significant improvement and the rate of migration is lower than before.

But migration from Bihar is still the highest in the country. In such a situation, what challenge does the Grand Alliance’s promise that they will provide government jobs to every family pose for you? Is his promise possible?

This is impossible. It would have been better if they had promised that they would provide some kind of employment opportunity to every family. It is impossible for one member of every family to get a government job. We calculated how much it would cost 12 lakh crore to fulfill this promise.

(Jan Suraj Party leader) Prashant Kishor has been active in Bihar for a long time. How do you see His presence?

He has become irrelevant.

But after (former Prime Minister) Chandra Shekhar, he is the only person who has undertaken the padyatra on such a large scale. The youth are attracted towards them and have made migration a major issue

I agree that this is true. But Prashant Kishor has failed to convince the public that he will be able to form the government on his own. The public understands everything. At most, he will be able to win a few seats.

We can hear murmurs of discontent in your party. Your former colleague (former Union Energy Minister) RK Singh is quite vocal now?

This is a big party. Some statements by some people are actually irrelevant.

There was Rajiv Pratap Rudy, a Rajput leader from Bihar who was not included in the cabinet and neither was RK Singh. Don’t you think the Rajput community will be angry with you?

It is the prerogative of the Prime Minister to decide who will become a minister. Those who were earlier ministers are no more today but tomorrow they can be assigned this job. But there is no guarantee that someone will remain a minister forever. Things keep changing. But people have this illusion that I am a minister and will always remain on the post. Rudy did not become a minister but was offered a Lok Sabha seat and won in a landslide victory.

Rahul Gandhi has once again alleged vote theft in Haryana elections. How important is this issue?

This is a non issue. Yes, he is trying his best to make it even. I would say that if they have evidence then they should present it before the Election Commission. The commission is also asking for evidence to investigate. But he is not providing it.

Why doesn’t the Election Commission take suo motu action?

The Election Commission has done everything in its power. If they have any evidence then no one except the Election Commission can investigate it. This is why they should submit their evidence to the Election Commission.

Are protests taking place in West Bengal also against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists?

The people protesting against SIR are trying to protect the infiltrators.

But is it your government’s job to thwart infiltration?

The government has taken many steps. But our government has been in power for the last 10-11 years while infiltration has been going on for a long time.

SIR may not affect the electoral reality but it is emerging as a major political issue against the Center among all political parties? Are they united on this issue?

I believe this is not a non-issue for the common man. As far as the opposition being united is concerned, they should be united. but it’s not like that. If the opposition had been united then they would not have dragged their feet in announcing their chief ministerial candidate till the last moment. The reality is that even today they are not saying anything clearly on this issue.

You are forming the government in Bihar but the reality is that this is the only state where BJP does not have a single chief ministerial face. Why?

Here we have an NDA. We have already decided the NDA leadership in the state and Nitish Kumar is our face.

But he left you twice?

Yes, he left for a short time but when he realized that there was no better option than BJP, he returned.

But BJP does not have any face, so is it a compulsion that Nitish will remain the face?

This has been the trend. We have an alliance and we should not have a crisis of confidence. As the largest faction in the alliance, it is our duty to maintain it.

But BJP cannot do anything in Bihar without Nitish. Even RJD with a strong vote base cannot do anything on its own. How will this impasse end?

Don’t call it a stalemate. Look at it this way. We do not betray those whom we trust. We want to establish this fact.

Let’s talk about Defense Ministry. Recently we have signed a defense agreement with America. Not many details are out in the open. Is it a renewal of an old agreement or does it have some new elements? How will India benefit from this?

India will benefit in terms of defense production. It is our endeavor that most of the defense equipment be manufactured in the country itself. Developed countries should transfer technology and manufacturing should happen in India. We are focusing on mutual cooperation. As far as defense equipment is concerned, earlier India used to import a lot; Now, we have started exporting. In future we are planning to increase exports and increase our production with the help of technology transfer from other countries.

How self-reliant are we in the defense sector?

We are far ahead.

But we are still assembling most of the equipment – ​​whether they are mobile phones or fighter planes. The engine for Tejas is also being imported from outside. When will we make ours?

Many things are being made in the country itself. Mobiles are being made here. In case of fighter jet engines, we are in talks with countries that manufacture jet engines for technology transfer or joint manufacturing within India. We have seen some good progress.

So will jet engines start being made in India within five to seven years?

Definitely!

Is America ready for joint production with India?

In principle yes. But this includes not only America but many other countries too.

It is said that during Operation Sindoor, Chinese and Western weapons were being tested and the Chinese weapons proved to be quite successful.

We used weapons made in India and were successful.

You mentioned the US-India defense deal but have our relations with the US improved?

Why did they compromise with us? This question should be asked to them.

India and China have deployed 50-50 thousand soldiers on the border in eastern Ladakh. When will they separate?

The numbers have reduced. China has also reduced their numbers. Recently I spoke to the Chinese Defense Minister in Malaysia on this issue. He proposed that tension should not increase. For this, talks should continue between the armies.

Why is there a delay in forming a theater command? Is there still some communication gap between the tri-service chiefs as we keep hearing their statements?

The armed forces are being integrated after taking their approval. A lot of progress has been made. There will be theatricalization.

Has the formation of the Chief of Defense Staff made any difference?

This is his responsibility. He is playing an important role in dramatization

After Operation Sindoor, there seems to be peace on the LOC (Line of Control), but President Trump has revealed that Pakistan is preparing for nuclear testing. How do you see this as Defense Minister?

Let those who want to test do it; How can we stop them?

But where do we stand and how are we preparing for the imminent threat?

Whatever happens we are ready for any situation

The question is, if Pakistan tests nuclear weapons, will we follow it?

Let’s first see if they do