In 2007 he as a BJP party President in Punjab created history by winning 19 of 23 seats and played a major role in forming the Akali government. Avinash Rai Khanna, 54, is hopeful to create history in Jammu and Kashmir. Khanna, a Rajya Sabha member from Punjab is stationed in J&K from past one year to improve the party’s Kashmir vote bank. Syed Asma interviews the BJP’s party in-charge in J&K who is confident to win an absolute majority in the on-going state assembly elections.
Kashmir Life: After winning three of six seats in Lok Sabha elections, you as a party in-charge had given a statement that BJP would form government in J&K on its own. How far is that achievable now?
Avinash Rai Khanna: A year back when I came to Jammu and Kashmir as a party in-charge, I along with my party men started working to form a government here. We knew that people in J&K are fed up with the two families, Sheikhs and Muftis, who have harassed them since long. The people now want to get rid of them [Sheikhs and Muftis] and want development instead. So, we planned accordingly in Lok Sabha election and [for the first time] won three of six Lok Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir. The results encouraged us to work on the same lines and achieve ‘Mission 44 +’ in assembly election. Unlike Lok Sabha elections, assembly election is a four corner contest and we have been working a lot almost everywhere in the state. We will get an absolute majority, definitely!
KL: You claimed the party’s ‘Mission 44 +’ is receiving an overwhelming response.
ARK: Yes, see the trend of voting. For the first time in Kashmir the voting turn-out has gone so high – 71%. This implies the people of Jammu and Kashmir have rejected both: the people who favour boycotting elections and their call. They [people] favour ballet not bullets. So, the Indian democracy and BJP has already won as we incurred people to come out and vote for their good. For whom they voted that only the result will show.
KL: You are accused of helping sprout political parties barely days ahead of polls. Is it somehow crucial to accomplish ‘Mission 44 +’?
ARK: No…no…we have our own plans. We will form the government in the state without anybody’s help. We are hopeful of crossing 44 seats.
KL: What do you think are BJP’s strong elements that will help them to gain votes in Kashmir?
ARK: Kashmir is part of the party as any other state is. A lot of people are interested in joining BJP and there was such demand of the party tickets that I can’t tell you. Due to lack of space we held back a number of joinings.
KL: What do you think is attracting people to BJP?
ARK: The simple reason is people are fed up of corruption. They realized that they are not developed in a way they should have been if good governance was in place. The rule of families should end and democracy should prevail. So, this time around people are putting their faith in BJP.
KL: BJP wasn’t favoured in Kashmir till recently. What is the mantra that BJP played that changed the course?
ARK: Was! It is past now. See Kashmiri are very intelligent people. They cannot be befooled for long. They noticed how the BJP ruled places – Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, are growing and how they are being reputedly elected by the people. So, people in the state over the years got convinced that BJP, especially Modi, can develop and will think of betterment of Kashmir and its people.
KL: You have been working since last one year to help your party form next government here. What methods did you employee to connect to the people of J&K?
ARK: Earlier we were operating only from three headquarters, one each in North, South and Centre. The first thing I did was I opened one office each in ten administrative districts; so we now have ten district presidents. Obviously this increased our organisational strength. Secondly, we contested from all the empty seats. So, in Lok Sabha we got 15,000 votes.
Earlier we used to get votes in hundreds but now we get lakhs and the graph is increasing. Another point is we were not able to hold public meetings or rallies. But of late I did a rally in Lal Chowk. And today in assembly elections we are doing road shows, assembly wise rallies. And in our rallies we hear slogans Modi..Modi..Modi… I just want to say that this is a trend in Valley.
KL: What do you think changed the scenario for you in Kashmir?
ARK: This is a change of mind. People in J&K want development. They don’t want Valley should remain disturbed all the time. See, no one can earn money from stones and guns. The reason BJP is gaining support is that it as a party is very serious in developing Valley as a tourism place like Switzerland so there will be chances of employment and people of J&K will be employed. And people know only Modi can do it. The gestures of Central government during floods were appreciated across the state. The Prime Minister made frequent visits to the Valley which implies that he loves and respects people of Kashmir.
KL: People accuse BJP of using money and the security apparatus to lure people and candidates. How far is it true?
ARK: This is not possible. We have to spend money as per the guidelines prescribed by Election Commission of India. People are incurred by our public rallies and our campaigning that they come out to vote. It is not money that matters. If it is, then any party can spend money as well. It is the people’s mind that they want BJP. We are not using any security apparatus or money. We are going by laws and democratic system. These are allegations levelled by the opposition parties and nothing else.
KL: If Mission 44 + is not accomplished, will you prefer to sit in opposition or you will extend your support to a regional party to form the government?
ARK: The time won’t come. We are sure about our win.
KL: Let’s assume, if at all it comes..
ARK: My answers are not based on assumptions!
KL: Is BJP over confident about winning the majority? Is it possible for BJP to win absolute majority in a multiparty set-up?
ARK: No, we are reasonably confident. We are in a position to form the government on our own.
KL: All your strategies and plans are for – “if you come in power?” What if you have to sit in opposition? Don’t you think you will fail? Aren’t you prepared for that?
ARK: [laughs] I told you repeatedly that we will form the next government with majority.
KL: Your party in New Delhi or in J&K has been vocal about abrogation of article 370 but it is not included in your manifesto. What is the reason?
ARK: What do the people of JK want? They want rozi roti, development, peace and corruption free government. So, everything is mentioned in our Vision document. As far as ‘Article 370’ is concerned our senior leadership in the Centre is very clearly about it and they have described the party’s stand on Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. We all stand by that. Many say that Modi and Rajnath do not mention Article 370 anymore so BJP has soften their stand on it but I say no, please go through the detailed statement of every senior member of BJP and understand. I suggest you to read and re-read their statements.
KL: But your candidate from Amira Kadal in Srinagar, Hina Bhat says she won’t allow BJP to touch Article 370.
ARK: I don’t know what she said and I do not want to comment on that.
KL: You recently said Sajad Lone’s win or defeat won’t matter to BJP but you have not fielded any contestant from his home constituency. Aren’t you banking on his votes in Handwara or you have ignored the area?
ARK: We have not fielded candidates in 10-12 constituencies (seats) in J&K. This does not imply anything. We have our own policies and possibilities of winning the elections. So, we are not banking on anybody’s votes. We will form government on our own.
KL: “We are working hard and hope that other separatist leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah and others too would understand the real meaning of democracy and start working for the betterment of people.” How has been their response so far?
ARK: The mind set of people of Jammu and Kashmir has changed. They believe that vote (ballet) can change the future of Kashmir.
KL: Let’s talk about the separatist leadership only.
ARK: They are also people. I have not met any of them (separatists), my knowledge is limited to what I have read or heard. I believe if separatists are saying anything in favour of the country, it shows they too want to believe in the democratic system.
KL: Have you come across any statement of theirs which would imply they favour the Indian democracy?
ARK: I am saying if they have said anything in favour then they would have started believing in Indian democracy.
It is enough we should stop the interview now…
KL: Though, you have written in your manifesto that you will reserve three seats for Kashmiri Pandits in the assembly but the non-migrant KPs have never been satisfied with New Delhi’s policies so far. What is BJP’s stand?
ARK: Please understand! We are in power since last six months only. Our intentions and policy are the same for everybody. Every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir is equal as any other Indian citizen is. They share equal right. They have right to live in peace. They have right to rozi roti.
KL: What will be the first thing that your party will do if it comes to power?
ARK: Peace.
KL: Peace has many meaning and connotations. Which peace are you talking about?
ARK: Only peace. BJP wants JK want to be an international tourism spot.
KL: How easy or difficult it has been for BJP to work in a Muslim majority state?
ARK: We have every respect for Muslims. They are part of India. They are Indians. Their upliftment and betterment is also in our agenda.
KL: RSS and ABVP are the main ideologues of BJP. The way you are campaigning it seems the Sangh Pariwar is fighting beyond election?
ARK: No, please correct your facts first. Every person who thinks of the betterment of the country is a part of BJP; it can be me, it can be you, it can be anyone.
KL: PM came twice and his third visit is on the cards. Besides, almost every minister is coming to Kashmir campaigning for elections. Isn’t it very expensive! What is making you spent so much money on Kashmir?
ARK: No, it is not. Every party fights the election to win it. If people are respecting our leaders we are getting them here, what is the problem?
KL: What makes you spend so much money on Kashmir?
ARK: No, it is not that. It is part of our campaigning, there is nothing wrong in it! We did campaign in Maharastra, Haryana and other places in similar manner. Why is our campaigning in Kashmir making news? Look, we are fighting the election to win. Every leader, every worker of the party wants to contribute till we win the election in JK.
KL: A political party that is accused of disempowering minorities in India. How will it empower a minority majority state?
ARK: You are wrong. Let me quote examples. See our past records. The President in Atal’s Vajpayee regime was a Muslim-APJ Abdul Kalam. Our defence minister was a Christian-George Fernandes. So no one can accuse us of neglecting or disempowering minorities. Najma Haptullah, Mr Naqvi are presently in our cabinet. We [BJP] are for all!
KL: It is for the first time in history the Indian Prime Minister’s statements include personal attacks against regional political parties?
ARK: No, Narendra Bhai Modi is just reflecting the emotions of public. He is not saying anything on his own and he always gives balanced speeches. It does’t look odd at all. It is a fight between political parties and we have to counter their functioning and what they did for JK.
KL: BJP has been criticizing hereditary politics but it gave mandate to Nand Kishore Sharma whose brother is already in politics. Why?
ARK: Because chancing of him winning are more.
KL: So, BJP is not against every family?
ARK: No it’s not that. It’s a brother who is in the politics not his father. Besides, he is doing well in his constituency. There are good chances of him winning.
