Hyderabad: The BJP has repeatedly said that it is an alternative to TRS. Results like Dubbak’s will be repeated in every election, said BJP state president Bandi Sanjay, who campaigned aggressively for Dubbak by election and scored a surprise victory for the party.
The icing on the cake for Sanjay, appointed chairman of the TS unit earlier this year, must have been the call from the Union Interior Minister Amit Shah to congratulate him. Speaking with Sanjay on the phone, Shah, the former BJP chairman, congratulated the party leaders and cadres who worked for the victory of party candidate M. Raghunandhan Rao.
Since his surprise victory as Karimnagar MP last year and especially after his promotion as president of TS BJP, Sanjay has led an all-out campaign against TRS that has galvanized the cadre. Their protests following the seizure of cash at the home of the party’s candidate are seen as one of the turning points of this election.
Sanjay spoke exclusively to the Deccan Chronicle within minutes after it became clear that the BJP had prevailed in the melee battle.
Excerpts:
How does the BJP take Dubakka’s victory? How was this success possible?
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel won independence from Hyderabad by ending the Nizam rule. In the same way, KCR rules Telangana now and the BJP will keep a check. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is moving forward and people have confidence in the BJP. The BJP is the alternative in Telangana, which the people have demonstrated by giving us a victory in Dubbak. Despite facing many problems, our hard work paid off.
TRS top leaders, including Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, KT Rama Rao and T. Harish Rao, said the BJP was lying on the issue of core funds. Why didn’t people believe them?
They did not disclose the funds released by the Center and diverted the money, but they did launch charges against the BJP. We show that the Center has funded state government pensions, subsidized rice, and other welfare plans. When KCR made demeaning comments, people understood that the funds were diverted. Knowing that the BJP will win, the TRS tried to mislead people.
There were reports that the BJP candidate, M. Raghunandan Rao, had bribed voters and the police even recovered money during searches. What do you have to say about this?
Was the money found in the candidate’s home? No! The TRS gave the money to the police who placed it there. If they have the guts, they should prove that the money belonged to Raghunandan Rao. The BJP does not need to distribute money. We win because we have the support of the public.
Can we assume that the BJP has been strengthened by winning the by-election?
We are already stronger. We won four seats in Lok Sabha and now we have won another seat in the Assembly. By winning the election, we got the key from the audience. You will see the BJP winning the GHMC elections. No one can stop the BJP wave, including KCR. We dedicate this victory to the martyrs of Telangana. The sacrifice of thousands of martyrs to ensure the statehood of Telangana was put on the line by the eighth KCR of Nizam. By winning the elections, the BJP will control corrupt people and put them behind bars.
Did your arrest in Siddipet and subsequent deeksha help you win public sympathy?
It is my responsibility to fight if my party’s candidate is harassed by the ruling party through the use of the police. When I wanted to visit Siddipet, I was arrested despite being the chairman of a state party. I will not fear anyone. I will fight with the support of the party and the cadres. I protested against the illegal arrest. Instead of saying that I gained sympathy, people can be seen as understanding the harassment of the ruling party.
How much money do you think TRS spent on Dubbak?
It is a TRS habit to bribe voters. The people of Dubbak realized this and gave a resounding victory to the BJP. Harish Rao tried to save his ministerial position. They spent 5,000 rupees for every vote and were aiming to spend 100 million rupees. As much as TRS is willing to spend, people are not willing to trust them.
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