Vikas, more than Mandir, is real issue in MP election, says Shivraj Singh Chouhan

How is this election different from the previous three?
I don’t think there is anything different. It’s only a matter of perception. Even in 2008, people kept saying BJP will lose. But we won 143 seats and returned to power. We will win again by a big majority this time because Congress has no issue to highlight whereas we are fighting on the strength of 15 years of solid development and welfare work.
You haven’t ever spoken on Ram Mandir though other BJP stalwarts are campaigning on it rather aggressively. Is it an election issue in MP?
Mandir apni jagah hai. Madhya Pradesh mein mudda hai vikas (the temple is in its place, but in MP the issue is development). Vikas and Vichar. We are going to the people with promise of more development and good intentions.
This election is being billed as Shivraj vs the rest. The way you have been campaigning singlehandedly for the last two-three months…
No, no, it only seems that way. The entire party is with me. You get that perception because Congress keeps targeting me and my family since they have no real issue to pick on.
MP
Why is there so much unrest in BJP after ticket distribution? Why couldn’t the party persuade rebels?
Congress has just as much discontent. It has as many rebels. It happens in every election. A few disgruntled leaders express their resentment and we persuade them. We have managed to convince most of ours to withdraw.
But there are BP rebels in as many as 30 seats…
Baaghis won’t affect our chances. We are strongly placed with our development plank. My campaign is still peaking. And we have PM Narendra Modi to give us a boost in the last leg. His presence is electrifying for BJP.
What are the main issues for BJP, then? There is a feeling that the good work done in the first two terms has somehow slipped in the third.
Vikas is our main issue. Sambal Yojana (a pre-poll welfare scheme for all) has helped us immensely in these last two-three months. We have already done exemplary work in irrigation, agriculture, bijli, sadak and paani. If there’s anything that needs mending, we will do it. We have taken all sections of society along and we will build on it. We have given bonus of Rs 265 for wheat. Sambal Yojana will transform people’s lives in MP.
Talking of farmers, no one speaks of Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana…
We changed the formula, so there won’t be any gadbad. We always keep welfare of farmers uppermost on our mind.
Isn’t there any effect of farmer anger in Mandsaur?
No, I don’t think so. We are not weak anywhere.
Jobs are a concern in Madhya Pradesh. How will you win the trust of young voters?
We will create 10 lakh job opportunities a year in MP once we return to power. I have always fulfilled my promises.
Will the rise of smaller identity-based outfits like SAPAKS, GGP and JAYS cut into BJP votes?
I don’t believe that’s an issue. Our vikas-and-vichar stand is strong enough.
Your manifesto is expected tomorrow. Do you plan to have some sort of redress mechanism for general castes, as Congress has announced?
We have our own systems in place. There are separate committees to look into the issues of specific sections of society. As I said earlier, we believe in taking everyone along. Sabka saath, sabka vikas.
In the Gujarat elections, Rahul Gandhi’s temple visits won Congress 18 seats. Does his soft Hindutva approach worry BJP in MP?
I don’t think that’s a factor in MP. I don’t mix religion with politics. Religion is a very personal matter. You feel it in your heart. But they are playing politics with it. That’s not my style, and it won’t work for them.
This time, allegations have been raised against you and your family. How would you react to them?
(Looking pained) Congress baukhlai hui hai (Congress is in a disarray). They are clueless in the battlefield and are hence targeting me and my family. But I don’t give much importance to these things. I have the love of the people with me, and they will give them the answer.
If BJP comes to power, will you remain CM?
Of course.
Or would you accept a role in the Centre?
(Smiles) No, for me it’s only Madhya Pradesh.
So, how many seats would you give BJP in this assembly election?
I can say that we will win with a big majority. Bhaari bahumat leke ayenge.