News24 Desk
New Delhi: Confident personified Digvijay Singh is looking only two possibilities for Uttar Pradesh when results for the state assembly elections to be declared early next month. A. Clear cut majority for Congress. B. Congress to emerge as the single largest party. In a free-wheeling interview with News 24 channel Editor in Chief Ms.Anurradha Prasad for her weekly show ‘Aamne-Samne’ , Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh has made it clear that Congress will stake claim to form the government if it emerges as the single largest party. He, however, was very categorical that “ Come what may, Congress will not going to support Samajwadi Party (SP) in order to form the government.”
‘ What are your basis for Congress to fare so well in the elections?’ Looking little tired after punishing campaigning schedule, Digvijay Singh explains, “ The people of Uttar Pradesh have seen the sheer misrule of BJP,SP and BJP during the last 22 years. They are sick and tired of government of these parties. Now, they want change. As they have tried of all, Congress is the only option with them. The people of Uttar Pradesh dethroned SP in 2007 after seeing their government. Then they elected BSP with clear majority. This time, they have made their mind to reject BSP too.”
‘ Do not you think that Congress is playing Muslim card to further their prospects in the elections…?’ “ This is baseless to say the least. We have promised quota within quota for backward Muslims and Muslims in our 2009 manifesto. We have promised that we will implement quota within quota on the lines of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnakata. If we would not talk about the salient points of our manifesto, then what will we do during the campaigning.”
Replying to a question in respect of Rahul Gandhi’s carpet bombing like campaign in Uttar Pradesh, Digvijay Singh was of the view that “ Rahul Gandhi is a very emotional person. He is giving blood, sweat, tear and toil for the party there. His aggressive campaigning has turned the tide in favour of party.”
‘As you are sure of your party’s triumph in UP, will you reveal the possible CM candidate of Congress ?’ Rather than giving any concrete answer, Digvijay Singh said, “ Our elected MLAs would elect party CM in an unanimous way,” adding, “ That is how I was elected as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh in 1993,Tarun Gogoi in 2007 in Assam.”
‘ Uma Bharti is claiming from the roof-top that she would teach you a lesson in UP after Madhya Pradesh… ?’ With raw smile, Digvijay Singh said, “ I really feel pity for BJP that it has once again given important duty to somebody who once vowed never to return to BJP. I will be surprised if she retains her own seat. Both BJP and Uma Bharti would touch a new low in UP.”
You can watch interview with Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Saturday ( February 18) and Sunday ( February 19) at 8.30 pm.