‘I have no personal differences with my father’

Union minister of state for civil aviation and outgoing Hazaribag MP Jayant Sinha, who is eyeing a second term from the constituency, believes there is no competition for him this election as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies, coupled with his own work, will ensure his victory. His father Yashwant Sinha, a former BJP stalwart who has become a staunch Modi critic, vacated the seat for him in 2014, but unlike last time, Jayant won’t find his father hand-holding him for canvassing. In an interview to TOI’s Abhijit Sen, Jayant talks about the mahagathbandhan and his equation with his father.
Q. During your poll debut in 2014, your father campaigned with you. Understandably, this time he won’t be doing so because of political differences with BJP.

A: My relationship with my father, or with my family for that matter, has not changed. There may be political differences with my father, but we don’t have any personal differences. I have the blessing of both my parents, who are also my voters and I hope I will have their support when they cast their votes. I had their blessing when I started campaigning a few days ago. BJP will retain this seat.

Q. What makes you so confident?

A. I am contesting this election under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah along with the support of all the BJP workers and supporters. When the whole organization is involved, I don’t see any problem in winning a second term. Most importantly, we (BJP) have performed in every sphere in the last five years.

Q. Will the mahagathbandhan’s common candidate be a concern for BJP in Hazaribag?

A. (Laughs) The delay in naming a candidate by Congress shows that they are in a fix. It is definitely an advantage and plus point for me. I don’t see much of a contest here. We have started our campaign in full swing while the opposition is yet to start electioneering.

Q. What are you key achievements as an MP from here?

A. I would like to split it in two parts — as an MP and as a minister. Being an MP, my personal achievements include setting up of a medical college in Hazaribag, starting a new thermal power station at Patratu, roll-out of Akshay Patra, a centralized kitchen scheme for quality midday meals in government schools, Krishi Anusandhan Kendra at Barhi etc. Then there was successful implementation of all key government schemes from Ujjwala Yojana to Ayushman Bharat scheme and PM Awas Yojana among others. Even the PM during his visits to Hazaribag and Ramgarh appreciated these works. Everything is on record.

Q. And your achievements as a minister?

A. While serving in the finance ministry between 2014 and 2016, I contributed in the implementation of PM’s Jan Dhan Yojana, Mudra Yojana, GST and increase in FDI and many other schemes meant for tax simplification and financial inclusion of those who were left out all these years. Similarly, after I was moved to the civil aviation ministry, I along with my team, took several initiatives to improve this sector by rolling out new airport plans in smaller towns and expansion and modernization of existing airports across the country. For example, we provided air links with modern facilities in places like Kanpur, Hubli, Mysuru, Tezpur and several other destinations.

Q. And what do you think you missed out on?

A. I won’t call it misses, but a few issues in my constituency certainly require greater attention. For example, providing more secure and productive jobs to the youths, ensuring proper irrigation for farmers through canal water, micro-irrigation and lift irrigation projects, better qualitative education, solving the traffic mess will be among my priorities in the next five years.