All options, including alliance, open in Chhattisgarh: Congress' PL Punia to WION

The Congress has been out of power in Chhattisgarh for the last 15 years. And it suffers from a dearth of top leadership in the state after Naxalites ambushed and killed a number of their leaders in 2013.

In 2013, the Congress lost the state to the BJP by a margin of 0.73 per cent of votes.

The Congress has given PL Punia, former chairman of the SC/ST Commission, charge of Chhattisgarh.

Punia told WION they are working on seats where smaller parties like the GGP and the BSP are strong. When asked about an alliance, he said, "All options are open. Final decision is yet to be taken.”

Punia's full interview to WION follows:

WION: What are the challenges for the Congress Party in Chhattisgarh?

PL Punia: Every election is a challenge whether in power or not. This time around the difference is that BJP has amassed lot of wealth and look insurmountable. But despite their financial strength, anti-incumbency exists in Chhattisgarh. Corruption is an issue. There are serious allegations against Chief Minister Raman Singh. We are also working on seats where parties like GGP (Gondwana Gantantra Party) and BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) are strong. Roughly there are 15 seats where smaller parties make a difference in the state. I’m trying to ensure that vote does not get split.

WION: Is Congress thinking of an alliance with parties like GGP and BSP?

PL Punia: Not at the moment. We have left the option of alliance open. Rahul Gandhi has already said that alliances in the state would be decided on case to case basis. If required, alliances will be worked out in Chhattisgarh. We are working constituency to constituency basis and strengthening the cadre.

WION: How big a factor is former CM of Chhattisgarh, Ajit Jogi?

PL Punia: He is not a factor at all. He is not in the Congress Party anymore that is an advantage to us. He was disliked by a certain section of the society. The traders and businessmen were averse to him. He will cut into the BJP’s vote share more than ours.

WION: Then why wasn’t he asked to leave?

PL Punia: Many leaders felt in the party that in his absence we would lose the elections. But in my opinion, he used to backstab the party. He would not let candidates opposed to him as CM face win elections. For this reason, he would support non Congress candidate to defeat official Congress candidate. He was not declared as the Chief Ministerial candidate in previous elections.

WION: Congress does not have a top leadership in the state. Isn’t that an issue?

PL Punia: Unfortunately, our leadership was targeted by the Naxalites. It is a fact. But we have collective leadership today. The top gives inspiration but the work is done at the level of booth. We are focused at the level of booth management. We have focused our efforts at the level of the workers and I’m sure it will work in the coming assembly elections.

WION: What are the issues on which the Congress is contesting elections?

PL Punia: Corruption is an issue. The state government has tweaked laws and made tribal lands available to non-tribal which is not allowed under the existing provisions. We have gone down to small hamlets and organised training session for our workers. We have asked our workers to tell voters as to what role did Congress Party contributed to freedom struggle and how BJP stayed away from it. Basic development too is an issue. This time tribal and Dalit segments will vote for us.

WION: Despite your focus on backward politics, BJP still ends up getting good numbers during elections?

PL Punia: Well, they will not get it in Chhattisgarh. “Kaath ki haandi baar baar nahi charhti hai.”