Jignesh Mevani, a Dalit MLA from Vadagam in Gujarat, has become one of the strongest critics of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recent times. Mr. Mevani, who hails from Gujarat like Mr. Modi, has been touring the State campaigning against the saffron party. In an interview with The Hindu , he shared his objectives and his views on the State Assembly elections.
What is the objective of your regular visits to poll-bound Karnataka?
Very simple. Karnataka is facing an election and elections are critical in a democracy. I am visiting Karnataka to educate youth to vote for jobs, to encourage farmers to seek a better agricultural economy, and to get people in general to ensure that the social fabric remains intact. Since the BJP government at the Centre has failed on all fronts, I am here to urge the people not to vote for a party that has only rendered lip service. More dangerously, the BJP plays politics of division on the basis of religion. The people should keep such a party away from power.
How do you evaluate the performance of the Congress government in Karnataka?
I would not call the Congress government the best government, but compared to the previous BJP government, the Siddaramaiah government has been far better in implementing welfare schemes and in preventing communal riots, which happen often in BJP-ruled States.
What is the role of the JD(S) as you see it in this election?
If you look at the past, the JD(S) has joined hands with the BJP. Therefore, I am sure the party will like to go with the BJP again in case of a fractured mandate. The JD(S) will only look for its political survival. Therefore, I believe voting for the JD(S) is like helping the BJP in Karnataka, at least right now.
How you see the Karnataka elections in the grand scheme of things?
In my view, the Karnataka elections is like the seminal while the 2019 Lok Sabha elections is the final, and the BJP will lose both times. The people of Karnataka will reject the BJP, and as will the nation as the party has not kept a single promise. When it comes to real issues, the BJP takes the shelter of nationalism, religion and cow. People are not going to vote over cow here; they will vote for jobs, batter facilities, and above all apeaceful society.
The BJP says it wants a Congress-free India. Your take on this?
I say we want a poverty-free, malnourishment-free, discrimination-free, and communalism-free India.
Do you see the ‘Modi wave’ as still going strong?
Certainly not. The people are gradually going away from the BJP as they are realising that in the past four years, development has taken a back seat while non-issues have taken prominence. With the people realising this, the Modi wave is losing strength.
If the Modi government has not done well, then what has the Opposition done to counter it?
I am sad to say the Opposition, mainly the leading national parties, have failed to highlight the failures of the BJP government. I strongly believe the Opposition lacks the killer instinct to counter Modi.
Do you see any alliance of parties forming to counter the BJP?
In order to defeat the communal BJP, all parties must come together by keeping aside their personal or political differences. I am saying here that I will also try my best to bring the parties together to save India from the BJP. I am starting this from Rajasthan, which is going to the polls in less than a year.
