Rajasthan, India

Congress has fielded Dr CP Joshi as its candidate from the Bhilwara Lok Sabha constituency in the northern state of Rajasthan. In a recent interview with WION's Heena Sharma, Dr. Joshi exuded confidence that he will win the elections and said that his credibility is his unique selling proposition (USP). 

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Joshi, a seasoned politician with a track record, discussed his past achievements, including the implementation of the Chambal water project in 2009.

Here are the excerpts from the conversation ahead of the Lok Sabha elections: 

WION: Many stalwart leaders like former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot, and Raghu Sharma... they all declined to contest in the Lok Sabha elections and now you are one of the most prominent faces. Have you accepted the challenge? 

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CP Joshi: Yes, I am of the firm opinion that when we are recognised by the party and when we occupy several positions it is our moral duty to contest the elections at the juncture when the party is facing a crisis.

WION: You are a 5-time MLA from Nathdwara constituency. You were also the Member of the Parliament earlier. Do you think that people this time will vote for you to win the election?

CP Joshi: Yes because I have performed. I promised them that I would provide and resolve the problem of drinking water and I have done it and people know this fact.

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WION: Yes, in 2009 you implemented the Chambal water project...

CP Joshi: In public life... for me credibility is important and that is my USP.

WION: We are seeing a swing of the people towards the BJP...

CP Joshi: Just think about this, people have suffered a lot, particularly women. They had to travel from one place to another for drinking water. They have suffered a lot and they have seen the change... after the completion of the Chambal project, water is coming to their household so I hope they will appreciate it and they will cast their vote for me. 

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WION: What are the other issues on which you think pollsters will cast their ballots? 

CP Joshi: My credibility. Because I am one of the public representatives who resolved the issue that the public was facing for a very long period of time. With this background, I am assuring. The young population of Bhilwara requires job opportunities. There are plenty of opportunities available in Bhilwara. Bhilwara is one of the districts where iron deposits are available. When I was MP, we tried to establish a steel factory. We took the initiative. It was I who took the initiative to have a coach factory in Bhilwara. We have laid the foundation of this. Having done all this, I was expecting that the government of the day would proceed further and develop this thing. But unfortunately, they could not. So my wish is that having more investment in such activities and giving an opportunity to have new technology institutes will provide an opportunity to have jobs. 

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WION: Earlier there were many Brahmin faces that congress fielded and they won also in the Lok Sabha elections. Do you think that this time the Brahmin voters will vote for you. Do you think that you will be able to sway those votes?

CP Joshi: In public life, the caste plays an important role. Nobody can deny it. Historically, this constituency has been represented by a number of stalwarts like Ramesh Chandra Ji Vyas, Upadhyay ji, and Girdharilal ji Vyas. So these precedents give an example that this constituency is being represented by Brahmin leaders of the party. I hope they will cast a vote for me also. I am a Congressman I always work for every section of society and for us, the vulnerable section is more important. Congress gets votes from every walk of life from SC, ST, and other minorities but today it is the harsh reality that caste plays an important role so I won't be able to comment on it. But naturally, there are historical facts. 

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WION: BJP won all the 25 seats in Rajasthan last year. So you think that you will be able to counter the Modi wave? 

CP Joshi: In 2011, a new hope was generated among the people of the country with the protest against corruption led by Anna Hazare. In 2019, Pulwama was one of the issues. Now people understand that governance is also required, for a better solution to unemployment and inflation. So these are the issues which are agitating the minds of the people.