Surat (Gujarat): Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia on Sunday visited Surat to welcome businessman Mahesh Savani into the party. In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, Sisodia targeted the BJP for having failed to bring about a change in the state and said that the 2022 Gujarat Assembly polls would be a direct fight between the AAP and the BJP. He also said that the AAP will usher in a revolution in Gujarat politics. However, he said that the Delhi model of development cannot be applied in Gujarat as the latter needs to have its own development model. Here are excerpts from the interview.
What is the AAP's strategy to bring about a revolution in Gujarat politics?
In Gujarat, the BJP has been in power at the state and local level for the last 28 years. It has failed to bring about a change and the people, miffed with the saffron party's attitude, now wants a change. Also, it is true that there is no third party in Gujarat politics because the BJP here fights elections in connivance with the BJP. Some people from the Congress switch over to the BJP before elections and some after winning elections! Now, with the AAP having entered politics in Gujarat, there would be a direct fight between the AAP and BJP in the 2022 Assembly polls.
You have recently given a new name to the BJP. Why did you choose that name?
People chose the BJP at the country, state and local levels because they wanted development. However, instead of working for the people, the BJP leaders are busy fighting. It is known that the BJP had won the Surat Municipality and hence they should vote honestly for the election of the committee members. Instead of realizing this, there is an ensuing fight. The BJP does this often in Delhi and West Bengal. Its leaders are now quarrelling with traders, farmers and are even arguing with Twitter and Facebook. That's why it is no longer a 'Bharatiya Janata Party' but a 'Bharatiya Jhagdalu Party'.
What about the Delhi model of development in Gujarat and what hope will you give the people of Gujarat?
Gujarat will have its own model of development. We will definitely keep the trust and faith of the people of Gujarat, and provide them with good governance and good politics.
