Two years after Yogi Adityanath became Uttar Pradesh chief minister, the state continues to lag in employment generation, stray cattle have annoyed farmers, roads remain riddled with potholes and questions about the many police encounters that happened soon after his ascension have become louder. The bright spot of his rule, so far, has been the glitch-free organisation of the Kumbh Mela.
With the Lok Sabha elections entering the final phase, there are whispers that his once safe seat of Gorakhpur is shaky, which explains the inordinate time he has spent here campaigning for the BJP candidate, Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan. The BJP’s showing in the 80 seats will be key in deciding the future of the controversial leader. Excerpts from an interview:
How do you place the BJP after six phases of polling?
Our calculations remain the same as they were before the election. The BJP will win 74 plus seats in Uttar Pradesh. In the country, the BJP on its own will win 300 seats and 400 plus with its allies.
Are you looking at new allies?
The existing members of the National Democratic Alliance will get these numbers.
How do you look at the BSP-SP alliance?
The public perception about the Samajwadi Party is that whenever it is in power in the state, there is largescale lawlessness and goondagardi (hooliganism). Whenever the BSP has been in power, it has only given rise to corruption, disorder and unpleasantness. Today, the BSP-SP combine is most worried about the fact that the BJP has taken away its core vote bank. The largest benefits of schemes have gone to (their core voter). Those who do the politics of caste and nepotism are failing.
Do you see a role for the Congress in the state, especially after the entry of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra?
Bu hikaye THE WEEK dergisinin May 26, 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye THE WEEK dergisinin May 26, 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Themes Of Choice
As Savvy Investors Seek New Avenues, Thematic Mutual Funds Are Gaining Popularity
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict