A PHD FROM the Jawaharlal Nehru University, Ashok Tanwar’s political stint began with the National Students Union of India. He was president of the NSUI, the Youth Congress and later a Congress secretary. But, he, too, became a victim of infighting, he says. The Lok Sabha election, he says, was an election for Modi; the BJP was “relegated to the background”. But the situation will change during the assembly polls, he says, where state issues like law and order, corruption, drug and mining mafia will be under the spotlight. Edited excerpts from an interview:
Q/ What went wrong in the recent Lok Sabha elections?
A/ After the Lok Sabha results, introspection and feedback meetings have been held. Several reasons have emerged for the defeat. We are still in the process of analysing them. One of the reasons is that over the years, especially since the 2014 general elections, we have not been able to take the work done by the Congress to the grassroots. We had organisational shortcomings—there were no district- or block-level presidents. Primarily, it was because of the infighting. That is one major issue.
Q/ What needs to be done to revive the Congress?
A/ We should work harder with greater commitment. Stop infighting everywhere. Be disciplined. The party interest should be above self interest. Individual-centric campaign has cost us a lot.... Now, the BJP is using every tool at its disposal to win elections. And, our result was what it was despite our leaders’ total commitment to the country, its people and the party ideology. Our leader is more sensitive, more responsive and more refined. So, we have to find ways and means to win people’s affections.
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Q/ Rahul Gandhi does not want to lead the party. Who do you think should take charge?
A/ There is no other choice. He is the only choice. The Congress is a big party, but the circumstances are such that we need him and only he can ensure that the Congress bounces back and is more acceptable to people. Only he can strengthen the party, keep the Congress united and more vibrant. He has started doing that. He was made the party president about a year and a half ago, and went into elections very soon. He proved himself in three assembly elections. This Lok Sabha election was entirely different.
Q/ How many seats will you win in the assembly polls?
A/ I am confident that the Congress will form the government in Haryana. The turnaround for the Congress will start from this election, and hopefully we should be adding one more state to the Congress kitty. We will be in power by ousting the most corrupt, insensitive and inexperienced government from the state. Now, we hear people say, “Modi tujhse bair nahin, Khattar teri khair nahin” (Modi, we have no enmity with you, Khattar, we won’t spare you). In two or three years, that will change to “Rahul tujhse bair nahin, Modi teri khair nahin”.