“The BJP’s defeat in three states is being wrongly construed”

In an exclusive interview to DAILYPOST Union minister, Harsimrat Badal took on questions on her vision and achievements. Excerpts:

Q: As we have seen voters of five states recently rejected the BJP, doesn’t it indicate the change of guard in 2019 polls?

A: I am not in agreement to your point that voters in five states rejected BJP in their Vidhan Sabha polls. If one analyses the previous results, at some place BJP lost due to antiincumbency factor for the party ruling state for many years. Notably, the difference of seats is small and at many places, the vote gap is also very low. Vidhan Sabha polls and Parliament polls are different and the mindset of voters also remains altogether at two occasions.

Q: Demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST) are said to be the two most disturbing decisions of Modi government. What is your take on it?

A: No. It is not a fact. The Opposition has failed to prove a single case of corruption or misdeed against the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. So, they are just raking up such issues. No doubt the major players, managed to convert their Black money during demonetisation but it checked the terror funding. The same way, GST was implemented by our FM with unanimity among all. As many as 37 taxes have been merged in one, which is aimed at simplifying the system.

Q: Can we say that schemes were good but the way of implementation was wrong?

A: It is not like that. There were a lot of issues in the implementation. While executing any decision we have to look for the country’s economy also. Our government tried to minimize the negative impact of such changes on the economy but it is also a fact that such bold decisions take some time to give actual results. And I am sure the country will soon see the positive impact of such steps taken by the Modi government.

Q: It is said that you ran the social cause campaign ‘Nanhi Chhan’ just for self-projection. Do you have anything to say about it?

A: Nanhi Chhan was being appreciated from quarters until I won the Lok Sabha polls for the second consecutive term and became the Cabinet Minister. However, after that, the Opponents started targeting the drive, which was otherwise meant to save the environment and give strength to women. Rather than getting in any conflict, I would ask people to evaluate the numerous schemes which benefitted women under different banners including Nanhi Chhan and Sirjanhari. I am unable to understand the base of this negative publicity as I have never asked for vote or support from people enrolled there.

Q: After representing Bathinda seat for 10 years can you count five major things you gave to your constituency?

A: Five is a too small number to count the things. Anyway, Central University of Punjab, Advanced Cancer Treatment Centre, Guru Gobind Singh Refinery, Thermal Plants, Airport, flights, Shatabdi train and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) would be among the top items in the chart.

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