The BJP leaders believe they would be able to convince Keshubhai to not target Modi. But, going by the past instances, Keshubhai might not be ready to go beyond a point against him. How will this alliance stand? Are you in touch with senior BJP leaders like L K Advani and Sushma Swaraj?
Keshubhai is in touch with them. He is in New Delhi to speak with them. He has told the central leadership that if they did not improve things in the party, he would not remain quiet.
Are you in touch with the Congress leaders in Gujarat? Can we expect a tie-up between the Congress and the MJP in the state?
We will not tie up with anyone in the upcoming assembly elections in Gujarat. Ideologically, we are neither with the BJP nor the Congress. Our party belongs to the farmers, the poor and the common people of the state.
We will not have a seat-sharing arrangement with the Congress or the BJP. But, after the elections, any party who agrees to work for the farmers and solve their problems, we would support it. I am not in touch with the Congress leadership because the party has miserably failed as an opposition in the last 10 years. Even though we are not in touch with it, the two parties believe to overthrow the incumbent government.
Would Joshi be called to Gujarat to support Keshubhai and the MJP? Have you invited him to the state, as he is no longer a part of the BJP?
Joshi will definitely come to Gujarat, but that decision will be taken by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He is a pracharak of the organisation, but even Joshi cannot take this decision. If he comes to Gujarat, we will welcome him.
But we don't want to be responsible for ruining his career. If he wants to change his party, our doors are always open for him.
But we don't want to be responsible for ruining his career. If he wants to change his party, our doors are always open for him.
Just as many senior leaders of the BJP are upset with Modi, a section of leaders of the RSS dislikes his functioning. Have you spoken to the RSS about it?
I am in touch with everyone in the RSS, including the sarsanghchalak and the common workers of the party in Gujarat. I regularly go to the party's office and attend the shakhas.
As far as the RSS unit in Gujarat is concerned, it does not want to help the BJP in the state. The RSS school of thought is upset with the BJP government because temples were destroyed, cows slaughtered and agricultural land taken over.
