Anurag Singh Thakur: Modi has credibility, and the country wants him to return as prime minister

Anurag Singh Thakur, the union minister of information and broadcasting, expressed confidence in the BJP’s win for a third term in a row at the center. According to him, the nation has faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s approach to governance and his “Modi Ki Guarantee.” During a conversation with Parvez Sultan, the minister also discussed the BJP’s plans for the next term and their endeavors to surpass the 400-seat threshold. Take-outs:

What major accomplishments of the Modi administration may aid the BJP in holding onto power?

Credibility is the most crucial factor. In 2024, Prime Minister Modi fulfilled the promises he made in 2014. India’s economy was one of the world’s most vulnerable when we came to power. Right now, we are among the top five. India has advanced more than the Congress could not in a half-century, whether it is health, education, roads, rails, or civil aviation. Our government has been ethically governed. We have established New India’s solid foundations, upon which we will build Viksit Bharat’s magnificent edifice.

What plans does the third term hold?

Approximately three weeks ago, the Council of Ministers convened and devised a plan outlining the government’s actions over the following 25 years, starting with its first 100 days in office. We also spoke about the accomplishments we want to make in the next five years. No government has ever taken this action before. This is how the Modi administration differs from the other regimes.

In several locations, the BJP now has the highest number of seats. How are you going to increase your total to reach the Rs 400-paar goal?

The BJP is expected to get the most number of seats in the South in history, spanning from Kerala to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh to Karnataka. Since the goal is to have 400 or more seats, I won’t dive into the figures. In Telangana, for instance, it will be in the double digits.

The last time we were in Karnataka, we did quite well.

People are already tired of the Congress government’s broken promises since it is unable to deliver. Additionally, they lack the capacity, expertise, and motivation to keep their word about Karnataka. The kind of reaction we are receiving in Tamil Nadu is astounding. People are tired of the AIADMK’s and the DMK’s policies. They are also examining the BJP.

Opposition figures are targeted by the BJP because they are purportedly involved in corruption scandals. It’s stated that when a leader of the opposition with a certain case joins your party, nothing is done to stop them.

Individuals who have been the subject of severe accusations have been looked at. They have to have been held accountable if there was proof. But the Opposition never stops accusing. Additionally, they claim that the Election Commission is biased and that electronic voting machines (EVMs) are tampered with. Anyone may be the target of accusations, but they have the freedom to move around as long as an inquiry is conducted, proof is gathered, and they are found not guilty. Thus, the ED is good when AAP MP Sanjay Singh is granted bail, and bad when Arvind Kejriwal is imprisoned. There can be only one yardstick. In a similar vein, you don’t talk about electronic voting machines if you win. I guarantee that no one who has committed corruption in our nation will escape punishment.

Through electoral bonds, people who were subject to ED, CBI, or I-T action made contributions to your party. The BJP stands to gain the most from electoral bonding. What are your thoughts?

Political parties in India must have received donations from the public between 1947 and 2014, a period of several elections. However, we were ignorant. By enacting a legislation, we are the ones who introduced this transparent mechanism (bonds); we increased transparency and held the system responsible.

Why was it not permitted to disclose the donors?

It was made very plain in Parliament when this topic (electoral bonds) was brought up that no one should be hounded for political donations. Therefore, it was in the best interests of those who planned to give; otherwise, there would be a lot of mudslinging; their identities should not be revealed or made public.

The political parties controlled by families never supported the openness that we demanded. Let’s wait for around two years, I guess. In my opinion, the Supreme Court will acknowledge that this was a superior system. The time for judgment has arrived, and we shall follow it. In the next years, the nation will likely encounter it and wonder where the political money is coming from.

States that are not BJP-ruled protest the Center’s stepmotherly treatment of them. Tamil Nadu has petitioned the Supreme Court to get funding for flood assistance. Kerala is also contesting the state’s borrowing authority at the supreme court. Andhra Pradesh has been refused special status by you?

If we consider Telangana’s whole contribution to the state, we have fulfilled all of the promises made during the state’s establishment in 2013–14. We have accomplished much more than that, in fact. We have dedicated ourselves to and completed everything. The National Disaster Response Force has established rules for flood assistance (NDRF). The Center is in charge of it. Funds are allocated once the agency, a home ministry team, files a report after visiting the affected areas to assess the flood’s effects. additional than that, numerous additional awards are awarded, including the state’s yearly NDRF fund. We’ll carry this out going forward. There is no distinction made between BJP and non-BJP governments.

What effect will the Ayodhya consecration event have on voting behavior?

Our commitment was to construct a Ram mandir at Ayodhya. When it comes to cultural renaissance, we have created Kashi Vishwanath, Somnath, Kedarnath, Mahakaal Lok, Kartarpur Sahib, and Hemkunt Sahib, or “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi” (progress with legacy). Construction also went done on the Ram temple. We are connected by air, train, and road. There are now more options for self-employment. This is not intended to be a vote bank.