In a candid interview with WION-DNA, Former Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia says he would love to go back and work with people of Madhya Pradesh. Accepting that Congress could have done more in the state in the last decade, he says this time around the leaders are working together. Scindia also added that Rahul Gandhi will be elevated in a couple of days.
What lessons did the Congress learn from its 2014 debacle?
I don’t want to look at the past but invest in the future. There are many lessons to be learnt, but the party, people and country have moved on in the last three years. Congress has been raising issues of tolerance and secularism, we are concerned about the economy, foreign policy and these issues are finding resonance in the public domain. It is important for us to continue to raise these issues and become an alternative to the BJP.
How has Congress responded to the Secularism vs Nationalism debate?
There cannot be secularism vs nationalism. It is nationalism and secularism and Congress stands for both. We want a safe environment for people of all caste and creed. These are the two pillars which Congress has always stood for. The optics have been changed to ‘this vs that’ scenario. It is the divisive agenda of BJP. The schemes once ridiculed by Mr Modi today are being touted as the biggest successes of India.
Is Rahul Gandhi’s elevation imminent?
Rahul Gandhi will be elevated in the next couple of days.
Are you open to the idea of leading the campaign in Madhya Pradesh? Given a chance would you like to go back?
I want to clarify that for the last 15 years I have been working in Madhya Pradesh. In any given month, I have spent 15 days in Madhya Pradesh. MP has gone through a backward movement. It pains me. Whatever the party will decide, I will try to do it to the best of my ability. I would love to work for the people of Madhya Pradesh.
Why has Congress failed so many times in MP?
There have been multiple reasons for it, but today Congress is in a strong position. We need to work together in Madhya Pradesh. We have great talent and leaders. We have strong elected grassroot workers. If we come together then I see no reason why we cannot win in MP.
People say that leaders in MP don’t get together and that is probably why Congress has been losing elections. Did you feel it in the last campaign?
I think that in last 13 years, much more could have been done by me and others, but now that scenario has changed. All of us have been working together and you will see the results.
Do regional alliances work for the Congress?
Indian politics has changed so much. In a majority of states we have a direct fight. Some states have triangular fights. But Congress in the state elections must get its act together and throw up new leadership.
