TNR Interview: BJP candidate says ready to go to jail if ₹15 cr kickback allegation proved
Weeks after he rebelled against the Congress, disqualified MLA and BJP candidate for Sujanpur byelection Rajinder Rana has squarely blamed Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s allegedly dictatorial attitude for the trouble his government is currently facing. In an exclusive interview with Munish Sood of The Newz Radar, Rana reveals several untold events that led to cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha election, which plunged Himachal into an unforeseen political crisis.
Q: Chief Minister Sukhu calls you a ‘traitor’ and ‘villain’. Don’t you feel bad?
A: I believe Himachal’s culture doesn’t permit anyone to use such language even against an enemy. Sukhu should remember he’s the Chief Minister. He must not forget that during his 14-month tenure, nine MLA walked deserted him. His government is on ventilator and will meet its fate soon.
Q: Is it true that you rebelled because you wanted a ministry and the CM didn’t oblige?
A: When it comes to a ministerial berth, it doesn’t make one superior. It’s only a matter of perception. When you are elected as an MLA, people have hopes from you. Whenever we approached the CM for constituency-related works, he not only ignored us but even insulted us. Genuine transfer cases were also not entertained.
Q: What were the other reasons that forced you out of the Congress?
A: Sukhu shut down the Staff Selection Commission in Hamirpur and several other institutions. I pleaded with him several times not to do such things, but he wouldn’t listen. Whatever I asked for the people of Sujanpur, he never granted. I don’t know what hatred he has towards the people here. I proposed opening a college, increasing hospital bed capacity and appointment of specialist doctors, but he turned a deaf ear.
Q: Did you have any old personal dispute with the CM?
A: I don’t know what grudges he held against me. I pleaded with him many times to cooperate, but he never did. Instead, he started harassing those who participated in my events. For example, Independent MLA Ashish Sharma attended one of my programmes last year. When Sukhu got to know about this, he harassed him to such an extent that he didn’t speak to him for four months despite Sharma seeking his forgiveness multiple times. One can compromise on anything but self-respect.
Q: Does this mean that the old conflicts are resurfacing?
A: I too believe these conflicts seem old. It looks as if he is holding grudges for disputes when Virbhadra Singh was the CM. In our last meeting, Sukhu even mentioned that ‘Virbhadra always had 13 MLAs against him, so what could he do?’ He repeatedly humiliated us with such statements.
Q: What about the CM’s allegation that all MLAs who voted for the BJP took Rs 15 crore each?
A: These allegations are baseless and unfounded. Sukhu has the police and CID, let him investigate and show where this money transaction took place. Allegations don’t make someone guilty. If you have evidence, bring it forward and arrest us. We have already filed a defamation case against him. In fact, his downfall is imminent as his strength has been reduced from 43 to 34. No one wants to stay with an incompetent leader.
Q: You keep on saying four more MLAs are joining the BJP. Does this mean they are being bought?
A: Legislators are not being bought. They are joining the BJP because none of their constituency works are being done. They are disillusioned with the Congress, which came to power on the basis of false promises, for which the legislators are now paying the price.
Q: You alleged irregularities in a Rs 100 crore World Bank water scheme in Shimla. How true is it that 10% kickbacks were paid?
A: There has been corruption in the Sukhu government, which has been exposed up to Delhi. A single tender was approved by the cabinet and awarded a day before the model code of conduct came into force. I don’t have evidence, but there’s a lot of talk about this. Moreover, where there’s smoke there’s fire.
Q: What astrological flaws in your horoscope cause you to always have conflicts with CMs, first Prem Kumar Dhumal and now Sukhu?
A: That’s not true. I didn’t have any personal conflicts with Dhumalji and contesting elections against each other isn’t a conflict. My relationship with the Dhumal family has never been sour and it remains the same even today. We only had political differences, which too have ended now.
Q: Ex-CM Jai Ram said in a press conference that Vikramaditya Singh and Pratibha Singh incited the rebels. Is it true?
A: Our fight was for allowing a native leader to represent Himachal in the Rajya Sabha. We were ousted from the group of 12 without any explanation, without even asking for our side of the story. Sukhu is acting like a dictator. Vikramaditya visited us twice and we told him either stay with us or them. He came but then something must have happened, they must be knowing what.
Q: You say the Congress is a sinking ship, but the ship you have boarded too is already full. Where is the space for newcomers?
A: The BJP ship is very strong and many more people can still come aboard.
Q: If the BJP government comes into power, what is the guarantee you will be made a minister? If not, will you quit the BJP too?
A: I have no desire to be a minister. My concern is not with my own respect, but with the respect of the people of Sujanpur. If their works get done, I am happy. The BJP has fulfilled every commitment throughout the country and the same will happen here. I have full faith!
