Interview: Now no ‘Operation Lotus’ of BJP will be successful: Jairam Ramesh

Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh feels that Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ will write a new revolution of change on the political scene. Because youth, people suffering from agitation and students troubled by paper leaks are joining his journey. They all see their complete guarantee in Rahul Gandhi. Journalist Dr. Ramesh Thakur talked to him on some selected political issues like how much Congress will benefit from the yatra and what will be the party’s strategy in the upcoming elections. Here are the highlights of the conversation.

Question: Will Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ have any impact on the election platform?

Answer- Rahul Gandhi is not only the hope of the youth but also the guarantee of their bright future. The whole country is keeping an eye on him. This is a time when people are scared. They are not able to even fight for their rights. Even if someone shows courage, his character is assassinated. What happened to the women wrestlers, the whole country saw? Rahul Gandhi is becoming the voice of such people. They are facing dire situations without fear and fearlessness. The country is watching how they are paying the price for speaking the truth. Even the membership of Parliament has gone. Despite false and factless cases being filed, BJP is not able to weaken their morale. Don’t we care about the impact of travel? The purpose of the yatra is to make people aware to fight against injustice. To give them strength, to encourage them, to be their charioteer.

Question: More number of youth are visible in the Yatra?

Answer- The youth who are seeking jobs are forced to face police lathicharge. Students who suffered the brunt of the paper leak of competitive examinations and the agitating people whom the Central Government and BJP call terrorists, are all participating in the Yatra. Despite the condition of the country being pathetic, the central government is busy in looting paper accolades. There is no area where internal reports do not scare. Inflation is skyrocketing. A large army of unemployed has arisen in the last 10 years. But the central government tells through hoardings that they have provided jobs to lakhs and crores. His mother has given employment to one person from each house. The situation is ridiculous, the Finance Minister says that the Central Government has built permanent houses for three crore people, while the Prime Minister adds one crore more to that figure.

Question: A valid question is, why do the ballot boxes remain empty even after such a huge crowd in favor of Congress?

Answer: This is the main question. Actually, the answer comes to the EVM machine. The finding of EVM machines in the hands of BJP members during the elections and the recent blatant theft of votes by the BJP in the Chandigarh Mayor elections have proved that the BJP wins the elections by dishonesty. Not only are we raising our voice strongly, a campaign to remove EVMs has also been launched. I can say with certainty that if elections are held through ballot paper, BJP will not be able to win even 50 seats. Then you will actually see how much impact Rahul Gandhi’s visit had.

Question: What will be the strategy for Lok Sabha elections?

Answer- Will enter the elections with new strategies. Will focus more on youth. We are testing the mood of the people through travel. Understanding their needs and requirements. I have been with Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ since day one. Meanwhile I saw how desperate people are for change. He has faith only in Rahul Gandhi. Because he is educated, outspoken, energetic, aware of the conditions of the country, and meeting all sections of the society. We will change the strategy only based on the experience of the journey.

Question: What is the position of India alliance now?

Answer: It is in a strong position. There is turmoil in BJP after seat sharing in UP-Delhi. Has started harassing opposition leaders further. Just then, CBI notice was sent to Akhilesh Singh Yadav. Besides, ‘Operation Lotus’ of BJP has also intensified. Had done it in Himachal Pradesh, it was a disaster there. Now we have found a solution to destroy all their operations. Some of their people, fed up with this, have come to us. He knows how artistic these people are.

-As Congress leader Jairam Ramesh told Dr. Ramesh Thakur in conversation