Jyotiraditya Scindia: People will undo Shivraj mayajaal

Winding up his election rallies on Monday, Congress campaign committee chief for Madhya Pradesh Jyotiraditya Scindia, who had addressed 120 poll meetings, says people will demolish the 15-year-old ‘mayajaal’ of BJP’s Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in 2018 assembly hustings.

Scindia, who has twice been the campaign committee Chairman in 2008 and 2013, describes himself as a “worker” of the party and refuses to go into the issue of who is CM face of Congress.

As Scindia, scion of the Gwalior princely state, air hops from one dusty hamlet to another, DH catches up at Narwar in Shivpuri for a freewheeling chat. Excerpts:

In every assembly election in MP, there is a buzz around Congress but BJP ultimately wins. How is this election different from 2008 or 2013.

JS: You are seeing the difference. Look at the number of people on the roads, their outpourings. People are frustrated and angry. People will overthrow this government.

BJP’s slogan is ‘Maaf Karo Maharaj, Hamare Neta Shivraj.' In a way they are accepting you as Congress face. Why is your party diffident to project you as CM face?

JS: I am a worker of the Congress party. We are working unitedly with the single minded purpose of forming a Congress government. You want to polarise us. You make up your mind what you want us to do.

Do you see any traction for Ram temple issue that has got into focus ahead of MP polls?

JS: This is Roti, Kapda, Makaan, Bhrashtachar issue. Ye teen chaar ki sarkar hai—Bhrashtachar, Atyachar and Shishtachar.

What impact these elections will have on 2019 Lok Sabha polls?

JS: The elections that are going on in five states will have a huge impact on next Lok Sabha polls. There are no two opinions on it.

In all assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, BJP returns to power banking on Brand Shivraj. What is happening to Brand Shivraj this time?

JS: Please do not ask me about Brand Shivraj. If I reply, you might feel I am saying so because of political rivalry. Ask people. The person who has kept people entangled to his web of illusion (mayajaal) for 15 years. People will demolish the mayajaal this time.

What threat do you see for Congress from rebels?

JS: There is no rebel factor in Congress. The whole rebel factor is with BJP this time. There is no rebel in any of the 34 seats here (in Gwalior-Chambal region). All are working together for Congress.

In 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Congress won just 44 seats, recording its worst ever electoral performance. What has changed since then that you are now so hopeful?

JS: Ye Badlao Hai, Wakt Hai Badlao Ka aur badlao aayega (There is a change. This is time for change and change will happen)

Why will people vote Congress?

JS: Look at our Vachanpatra (Congress manifesto). This has clear cut policies laid out for all sections-farmers, youth, women.

Whom are you fighting against primarily this time—BJP, RSS or just Shivraj Singh Chouhan

JS: We are taking up the fight of the people against this mis-governance (kushashan). This fight is now converted into a fight of people (against the BJP). You are going to have a change. People are not going to accept BJP again. 'Abki baar 200 paar' (BJP slogan of winning over 200 seats) has no takers.