Baluni thinks the BJP is up against pro-incumbency

Anil Baluni, the national media chief of the BJP, is counting on “Modi’s guarantee” to get him through the polls in the scenic Garhwal Lok Sabha seat. In a seat that is home to some of the most important Hindu sacred sites, he faces opposition from Congressman Ganesh Godiyal. Baluni discusses the issue of mass migration from hillsides in an interview with Kavita Bajeli-Datt. She also discusses the need to strike a careful balance between environmental preservation, development, and the Uniform Civil Code. Take-outs:

What do you see as the future of your constituency?

There are 14 assembly segments and five districts in our constituency. Our goal is to bring employment creation and religious tourism together. Places like Jim Corbett, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Devprayag, Hemkunth Sahib, Valley of Flowers, Rajaji National Park, and Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve are among those that we have. My goal is to halt the mass exodus of people from the highlands. “Apna Vote, Apna Gaon” is an initiative that I have established (my vote, my village).

In what way does Uttarakhand relate to “Viksit Bharat”?

Uttarakhand will rule in the next ten years, according to Modi ji. That is what we are aiming for. In every district, we want to construct two or more tourism attractions. Our train, a brand-new route that will run from Rishikesh to Karnaparyag, will be completed in two years. Both the people and the state will alter drastically as a result.

The first state to enact the Uniform Civil Code is Uttarakhand. Does the BJP want to apply it throughout the country?

A legal examination and analysis of the UCC, enacted by the state Assembly, are still pending. We are having a thorough conversation. It may also be considered by other states. Allow the discussion to occur. If adjustments are required, they will be made.

There is opposition to Angiver. How will this affect the party’s chances?

On this, we have worked. Rajnath Singhji has already spoken himself very clearly. If required, we are willing to make changes to the Agniveer recruiting process. He had maintained that the Agniveers’ future is assured because of measures taken by the government. A 10% reservation for former Agniveers has also been declared by Home Minister Amit Shah for openings in the paramilitary forces, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and Border Security Force.

Rahul Gandhi has charged your party of using electoral bonds as a means of widespread corruption.

Rahul Gandhi’s comments shouldn’t be taken seriously. The original intent of electoral bonds was to lessen the impact of black money on politics. We are also able to investigate any recommendations they may have.

Do you want to change the personal laws of Muslims?

Congress has always supported policies of appeasement. We have never discriminated between Muslims and Hindus. Uttarakhand should establish a Muslim university, according to a different Congress politician. These claims and differentiations have been made by them. We have promised not to let any demographic shifts in this “dev bhumi” (lands of the Gods), where we have Char-Dham. Congress wants to alter the country’s demographics. Congress wants to transform this state. According to the 2011 census, Uttarakhand is the second state where demographic shifts have been seen, after Assam. Such a shift to the state will not be tolerated.

Will the 2024 elections be affected by the anti-incumbency factor?

No. This is a pro-incumbency situation. The public fully trusts Modi ji.