‘My target is inclusive development of Karnal constituency, jobs for youth’

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won all 10 parliamentary seats in Haryana. But even before the polls, the party was always confident of winning the Karnal Lok Sabha seat – the home constituency of chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Khattar’s own man Sanjay Bhatia -- a Punjabi face and general secretary of the state BJP, who was at the helm of affairs in the fiercely fought Jind bypoll – was the candidate from Karnal. He won by a margin of 6.5 lakh votes – the second highest victory margin in the country. Bhatia spoke to TOI on a range of issues including caste politics in Haryana and his priorities for his constituency. Excerpts:
What are your priorities for Karnal Lok Sabha constituency?
My target is inclusive development of Karnal constituency. I will try my best to bring major projects that will generate more jobs for the youth. I will also pursue the ongoing projects, besides emphasising on basic facilities. I will try to meet all the expectations of the people.
When Jat agitation and Ram Rahim incident occurred in 2016, people were angry with the state BJP. But later, in mayoral polls, Jind byelection and Lok Sabha polls, the BJP made a clean sweep. How did it all happen?
It was no magic. The elections were won because all 36 Haryanvi communities reposed faith in the BJP’s agenda of “Haryana Ek, Haryanvi Ek”. Everybody accepted it and we won the elections one after another. Chief minister Manohar Lal is a goodhearted man and doesn’t believe in casteism. The BJP government gave jobs to the youth based on merit... And we managed to win people’s trust.
In this election, Modi factor played a vital role, but allegations of casteism were levelled against some parties. Your comment?
Those who do not perform well contest the election in the name of caste. The opposition was trying to raise the caste issue, but all sections of society were with the BJP. Those who do not have much to speak, they try to shift the topic to caste. The electorate rose above caste and creed and voted for strong leadership. People voted in the name of Modi and the Nation.
The BJP fielded non-Jat candidates in Jat-dominated areas, like Rohtak and Sonipat. How did that work out in party’s favour?
The people of Haryana don’t believe in casteism. They cast their votes keeping national interest in mind. People wanted to see Narendra Modi as Prime Minister again. Some opportunists did try to play the caste card but people expressed their faith in BJP’s concept of brotherhood.
Many big faces like the Hoodas (father and son), grandsons of Bhajan Lal and Devi Lal, and grand-daughter of Bansi Lal fell flat. How do you see the fall of old war horses?
No matter how big or small the faces are, all have to be equally answerable to the electorate and if they make the mistake of forgetting them, debacle is a certainty. People have taught them a lesson by handing out defeat. My rival candidate from Karnal of Congress party Kuldeep Sharma was also a big face. He was a former assembly Speaker and his father Pandit Chiranji Lal had been four-time MP from Karnal, but in this election, he suffered a humiliating defeat.
You have registered a historic victory with 6.5 lakh votes. How does one react to know about your victory?
Recently, I went to the central hall of the Parliament, where I met (Narendra) Modiji, Sushmaji and Varun Gandhi. When I told Varun, I am Sanjay Bhatia from Karnal, he was surprised with my victory and congratulated me. Even Modiji was elated to meet me. I had a short meeting with him due to his busy schedule, as he was surrounded by bigwigs.