Why was the voter turnout low in urban areas?
We were not clear who we were fighting with. The UF is divided and there was no focus. So, there was lack of enthusiasm among our workers. Political parties have failed to mobilise people. But the Bahujan Samaj Party is in a much better position than the BJP as far as mobilising supporters goes. They don’t need banners and posters.
There was no concrete poll issue. What do you think was the reason?
Issues like good governance and economic development are not powerful enough to bring voters out of their houses. Not as powerful as the Bofors or the Ram Mandir issues. We raised these issues thinking that the voter has matured but we failed. In a mature democracy you can’t create waves. Political parties should ponder over the fact as to why issues of development and law and order don’t touch peoples’ conscience.
Do you think the BSP-Congress combine will pose a threat to the BJP?
The graph of the BSP-Congress alliance is coming down. The BSP has weakened after stories against P.V. Narasimha Rao started appearing in newspapers and charge-sheets were filed against him. And the Prime Minister meeting the Chief Justice in this connection is objectionable. I think the Prime Minister does not understand the implications, he is naive.
Of late, Mayawati has gone soft on the BJP at her public meetings. Is it an indication of a possible post-electoral alliance with her?
If she is not attacking us, she is being prudent. This is the right approach before the polls. And we have kept our options open.
Do you support Deve Gowda’s announcement on Uttarakhand?
Why should we support him, he should support us. Announcing a separate state at the peak of elections is not right, although the UF is not going to gain there because Mulayam Singh is nil in the UP hills. Only the Congress(T) might gain in some seats. The Prime Minister has announced the date also. I don’t know which astrologer advised him to announce the date. What if we decide not to support it?
But will you do it?
Why not? At least, we can always force them to postpone it for one day.
Do you see any change in the political scenario vis-a-vis the BJP in the next five years?
Regional parties will change their attitude towards the BJP. We have no clash with them. If Laloo Yadav is cornered (in the fodder scam), Mulayam Singh Yadav is defeated and the Congress splits after Rao is ousted, then there will be a realignment and the political scenario will change.
