‘It is only the BJP which knows how to truly balance regional and national aspirations,’ says BJYM president Tejasvi Surya.
BJP’s youth face and planner-in-chief for attracting Gen Z voters, BJYM President and Bangalore South MP, Tejasvi Surya, says the youth have already decided to elect PM Narendra Modi for a straight third term and dismisses the talk of the saffron party lacking electoral heft in the southern states. Excerpts of interview with Rahul Chhabra:
Q. Why is there so much focus on first-time and young voters ahead of the Lok Sabha elections?
A. In 2014 and 2019, young voters played a big role in the election of Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister. The youth want Modi to be the PM for the third time as they realise that his government is focused on their progress. Be it the New Education Policy, new IIMs, IITs or PG medical seats; digital or startup policies for young entrepreneurs or the infra growth and poverty alleviation policies of the government, the youth have been the biggest beneficiaries of the Modi government’s policies. This is the reason why the BJP and the PM, in particular, want to have a direct and impactful engagement with the youth, fostering a deeper connection between the leadership and the new voters.
Historically, it is the time when unemployment is at a record low due to the opportunities created by the government and the economy’s growth. The youth can see the difference and that is why they want to back the Modi government and join the march to make India a developed country.
Q You have always claimed that the BJP is working hard at the ground level to script electoral history in southern states over the next five to 10 years. Tell us what is the party’s gameplan?
A. It is only the BJP which knows how to truly balance regional and national aspirations. Sab Ka Saath, Sabka Vikas is for fulfilling the aspirations of all Indians. Our party is putting in a lot of hard work and it is not just one factor that is increasing its popularity in these states. And it is not just in the south but also in the north-east. It is a coordination of factors like identifying and empowering grassroot-level leaders, training and reposing faith in state level leaders and also increasing visits by senior leaders. The PM himself has been regularly interacting with people and state leaders in these states. Which government had focused so much on these states earlier? Almost every other day, one Central leader is visiting and interacting with people in these states.
Q. How do you see the challenge from the INDI Alliance?
A. INDI Alliance is an unnatural alliance which died even before it birth. It is like the coming together of snake and mangoose that is why it is heading for an unnatural death. The bloc’s constituents have no vision, no agenda, no ideology. They have come together only due to their hatred for Modi.
The cadre of INDI Alliance parties are fighting on the ground every other day. Look at West Bengal, where the Congress is fighting TMC. In Kerala, the Congress is fighting the Left and in Delhi the Congress is fighting the AAP. Their leaders have diametrically opposite views. They have come together in a desperate bid to stop Modi.
Q What are your views about Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra?
A. Rahul Gandhi is trying hard to remain relevant in the country’s political scene. The Congress has been about one family and about keeping alive one family’s image even if that means ignoring other leaders like Sardar Patel, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose or Karpoori Thakur. Janata some janti hai and voters can compare 70 years of Congress rule with achievements during BJP’s 10-year rule.