The Rashtriya Loktantrik Social gathering (RLP), which was fashioned with the intention of turning into the “third power” in Rajasthan, not too long ago accomplished 4 years.
The get together, with three MLAs within the 200-member Home, has largely maintained an anti-Congress, anti-BJP stance. It allied with the BJP in 2019 and later broke away from the Nationwide Democratic Alliance (NDA) over the three contentious farm legal guidelines. It voted for BJP-backed Impartial candidate Subash Chandra within the Rajya Sabha elections in June.
In an interview to The Indian Categorical, RLP supremo and Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal talks about his get together’s journey, the plan for the 2023 Meeting polls, the alleged understanding between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and former CM Vasundhara Raje, and the consolidation of Jat votes. Excerpts:
The RLP accomplished 4 years. How do you see the journey to this point?
We performed a number of rallies earlier than we began in 2018. The BJP authorities in energy on the time was below stress and applied a few of our calls for, whether or not it was 50,000 jobs, making state highways toll tax free or offering subsidised electrical energy payments to farmers.
We needed to be a substitute for the Congress and the BJP and contested elections in 57 seats in 2018, profitable three. We acquired round 9 lakh votes. Our vote ratio was even higher than the BSP, which contested extra seats than us. Now we have consolidated our place because the third power within the state.
You say the BJP failed in its duties because the Opposition. Why?
The BJP failed in its function because the Opposition and didn’t say a phrase within the Meeting when (Congress) minister Mahesh Joshi’s son was accused of rape or the ACB (Anti-Corruption Bureau) raided the transport division headed by minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas. Be it the Covid-19 pandemic or the lumpy illness outbreak, solely the RLP was seen on the streets to guide protests on the bottom. One of many BJP’s personal MLAs additionally cross-voted for the Congress within the Rajya Sabha elections.
What’s your evaluation of the Gehlot authorities?
The complete state is struggling as a result of tussle between CM Gehlot and (Congress chief) Sachin Pilot. MLAs are arm-twisting the CM to accede to all of their unfair calls for in order to be on his aspect. Gehlot doesn’t need to relinquish the CM chair; Pilot needs to grow to be the CM. Pilot ought to float a celebration of his personal, that’s my recommendation.
You usually speak about an alliance between Gehlot and Raje. Each leaders are from events which are sworn enemies.
An alliance has existed between Gehlot and Raje for 22 years. I used to be with Raje (within the BJP) when she grew to become the CM for the primary time in 2003. At first, she referred to as for the top of corruption within the Gehlot authorities however indulged in corruption herself. Gehlot arrange a fee to probe graft allegations in opposition to Raje however nothing got here out of it (the fee was dismissed after courtroom orders).
Bureaucrats have served in plum positions with each of them. When Gehlot returned to energy in 2018, he continued with the chief secretary appointed by the Raje authorities. When the Gehlot authorities was liable to being toppled in 2020, Vasundhara ji helped Gehlot. Throughout the vote of confidence on the time, some BJP MLAs, who have been Raje loyalists, went lacking.
Now, there additionally appears to be an alliance between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gehlot as nicely. We noticed not too long ago how each have been heaping praises on one another.
The Congress accuses you of being a part of the BJP’s B staff. Even after quitting the NDA, you voted for Subhash Chandra, who was backed by the BJP.
That is laughable. I left the NDA over variations on the farm legal guidelines. Our cadre protested on the Shahjahanpur border and was instrumental within the rolling again of the legal guidelines. The Congress consistently targets me as a result of we’re those elevating our pitch when it’s accused of wrongdoing, The BJP retains mum. Why doesn’t Chief of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria communicate in opposition to Khachariyawas?
Earlier, the farmers of Rajasthan used to lift slogans for leaders from Uttar Pradesh or Haryana. Now they’ve their very own get together within the RLP.
Within the Rajya Sabha elections, I supported Chandra as a result of he’s from Rajasthan and I do know him. The opposite possibility was to abstain from voting. The BJP really duped Chandra by first assuring him that he’ll win if he contested from Rajasthan after which deserted him.
The BJP says you gained due to its assist.
Within the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, of the overall votes I acquired, round 2.5 lakh have been from BJP voters. However the BJP acquired 30 lakh votes in numerous constituencies throughout Rajasthan due to my identify. Jat voters have a big affect in 20 to 21 Lok Sabha seats. After I went to marketing campaign for BJP candidates, all of the get together’s prime leaders used to face on the helipad to obtain me. If I didn’t have any affect, why would the BJP leaders welcome me like this?
BJP leaders have requested me to merge the RLP with them, however I refused straightaway. When the BJP requires assist, it involves my door. Throughout Vasundhara Raje’s tenure, a number of BJP leaders, resembling Kirodi Lal Meena, left the get together. They returned later and went on to grow to be BJP MPs. I by no means rejoined the get together.
Would you take into account an alliance with the BJP or another get together earlier than subsequent 12 months’s election?
We is not going to ally with the Congress or the BJP in 2023. We’ll take into account allying with smaller events, relying on the state of affairs on the bottom. The RLP will contest a minimal of 150 seats.
Events such because the BSP, which have performed the function of a 3rd power, couldn’t get greater than 5 to 6 seats in elections. Why do you assume the RLP will achieve turning into a robust third power?
We will gauge the power of the RLP by analysing by-election outcomes prior to now 4 years. The RLP gained the Khinsavar byelection (in 2019) after I used to be elected to the Lok Sabha. In Vallabhnagar (2021), we got here second. The BJP was fourth. In Dhariyawad, a candidate supported by the Bharatiya Tribal Social gathering (BTP) and the RLP gained. The BJP was third.
We carried out nicely within the native physique elections in 2021 too, profitable a couple of Pradhan seats. One in all our members grew to become a municipal council chairman. Regardless of having restricted monetary sources, we have now continued to develop. We have been on the forefront of the Agnipath protests in opposition to the central authorities because it straight impacts the youth. The folks of Rajasthan now know that the RLP raises points impacting them.
The place does the RLP have an edge over different events?
The general public has seen how MLAs from different events such because the BSP have switched to Congress. The BTP additionally stands divided. Each the Congress and the BJP tried to poach the RLP MLAs, however ours is the one get together that continues to be intact 4 years after the 2018 elections. Now we have a bonus as a result of we have now continued to lift public points. The president of the Congress and the BJP are Jats, who type our get together’s major citizens.
The Congress and the BJP have additionally been wooing Jats.
Each the events made Jats their state presidents to counter me. Nevertheless it gained’t have any affect. Eighty-ninety per cent of the votes from the Jat group shall be for the RLP. Most protesters for presidency jobs are from the Jat, Gujjar, Meena, Yadav, and Meghwal communities, and they’ll assist us within the subsequent elections. Muslims additionally will assist us. They know that the RLP is combating their battle. Some Jat ministers or state get together presidents don’t make any distinction as a result of the CM has the final word energy. They dismiss me as a Jat chief, however two of the three RLP MLAs are from the SC group.