There is a deep yearning for change in Gujarat: Randip Surjewala

Randip Surjewala, Chairman, Congress Media Cell tells WION's Kartikeya Sharma Rahul Gandhi is a Hindu but BJP wants to polarize the election on the basis of religion and perpetrated a fraud in Somnath Temple. Rahul Gandhi signed the visitor’s register and wrote that he was inspired by the spirituality in the Somnath Temple. In a register which was signed by a colleague of ours in the media department for the entry of the journalists, it was used to prove that Rahul Gandhi has converted. Excerpts

Q: Why is your party in contest in Gujarat this time around?
A: People of Gujarat are fed up with BJP and there is a deep yearning for change. BJP has been high on rhetoric and less on the delivery of promises. We have also changed our strategy. We have fanned out at grass root level and ensured that people from neighbouring states help our party in Gujarat. We also ensured that social media is used effectively and it has worked in our favour this time around.

Q: If you are so confident, then where is the manifesto? It is being said that party will have to clarify its position on Patidar quota issue?
A: No. Even BJP has not released the manifesto but the outline of our manifesto has been made public by Rahul Gandhi in his speeches. In next 72 hours, we will be releasing the manifesto. The document will not be a manifesto in the traditional sense of the word but a layout of what we intend to do in terms of development.

Q: Is there a crisis of leadership in Gujarat as no one leader was projected as the CM candidate?
A: Every state has a different strategy. There are states where we declare CM candidates and there are states we go with collective leadership. We have a young leadership in Gujarat. We will go with our collective leadership in the state. We have to see what are the aspirations of people in the state. BJP didn’t portray anyone as a CM candidate in Uttar Pradesh but still won the elections.

Q: Off late the election in Gujarat has become all about asmita. Your comments?
A: Gujarati asmita is extremely important. But the question is as to who attacked Gujarati asmita and took away the jobs and good life from people both in urban and rural areas. BJP leadership has been insensitive towards Gujarati people. Look at the way the BJP leadership removed a woman Chief Minister of Gujarat. This conspiracy was hatched by BJP leaders to remove Anandiben Patel as the CM.

Q: Why did you use the word Janeyudhari Hindu?
A: Rahul Gandhi is a Hindu but BJP wants to polarize the election on the basis of religion. They perpetrated a fraud in Somnath Temple. Rahul Gandhi signed the visitor’s register and wrote that he was inspired by the spirituality in the Somnath Temple. In a register which was signed by a colleague of ours in the media department for the entry of the journalists, it was used to prove that Rahul Gandhi has converted.

Q: My question was that why did you use the word Janyeudhari?
A: In our culture, certain rituals require janeyu. It is customary on some occasions but please remember that Rahul Gandhi has said that he respects all religion that his country and his flag is his religion. So, his commitment it to his belief, country and the flag.