If MVA wins Maharashtra, Narendra Modi won’t stay in power: Congress’s Vijay Wadettiwar

Vijay Wadettiwar, senior Congress leader and leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra legislative assembly, claims that an Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) victory in the upcoming assembly election could go as far as hurting the stability and longevity of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre. Wadettiwar has alleged that the Mahayuti government in the state is involved in irregularities, including in the grant of land to the Adani group for the project for makeover of Dharavi, India’s largest slum cluster. Edited excerpts from an interview with INDIA TODAY’s Dhaval S. Kulkarni.
On the issues that will dominate the assembly election.
A. There are many issues. Around 70 per cent of the various government contracts have been given to those from Gujarat. A man from Gujarat (the Adani group) is being given 550 acres of land, valued at Rs 2.5 lakh crore as per market rates, at a throwaway price. Prime land in Mumbai is being gifted away [to the Adani Group].
Recruitments in the government are taking place on a contractual basis through firms, and reservations are being done away with. Over 100,000 positions have been filled on contractual basis. At a time when unemployment is high, such actions are akin to cheating the youth and also amount to finishing off quotas. This has adversely affected the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
Many industries in Maharashtra are also being whisked away to Gujarat at a time when lack of jobs is a major issue in the state. The issue of inflation is also persisting. Soybean and cotton farmers are not getting remunerative prices. Soybean farmers are being forced to sell their produce at Rs 4,000 per quintal, which is Rs 1,200 less than the minimum support price (MSP). The condition of cotton cultivators is similar. Around 1.3 million hectares of standing crops were destroyed due to rains, and farmers have not been compensated for it.
Political parties have been split and central agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) have been misused on a massive scale in Maharashtra. Many leaders facing allegations/charges of corruption have been coerced into joining the party (BJP).
The law and order situation has deteriorated. The government’s figures reveal that seven farmers commit suicide every day in Maharashtra. The level of corruption is very high. In the past two-and-half years, tenders worth Rs 7 lakh crore have been distributed and not even one tender is below the benchmark rate. Some are even 30 per cent above this price. Also, the state’s debt burden has soared from Rs 2.5 lakh crore in 2014 to Rs 9 lakh crore in 10 years.
About the Ladki Bahin scheme and the fear of competitive populism.
A. The government has floated tenders for unwanted works because it wants to take a cut. These commissions are as high as 30 per cent, but it is said there is no money for welfare schemes. These schemes will have funds available for them if commissions and corruption are curbed. The money spent this way can be used for the Ladki Bahin scheme.
There is no question of opposing the Ladki Bahin scheme. We will increase the monthly payout as Rs 1,500 is too less considering the inflation and prices of essentials like edible oil, tur dal, chana dal and maida. The prices of diesel, petrol and LPG are also soaring. How will a mere Rs 1,500 help make up for this? Goods and Services Tax (GST) is also charged on essentials at a rate of 18 per cent. We will give Rs 2,000 per month instead.
Whether the trends witnessed in the Lok Sabha elections will hold in the assembly polls.
A. If we win Maharashtra, Narendra Modi will not be able to stay in power. If Modi continues to remain in power, the Constitution will be chipped at and distorted every day, and democracy will be throttled. The unravelling [of this regime] will begin from Maharashtra. The Constitution and our democracy will survive if we win Maharashtra. If we win, the crutches that are supporting the Modi government will fall. A victory for us in Maharashtra will generate tremors that will shake Modi’s chair.
On the Opposition MVA’s chief ministerial nominee.
A. We have reached a consensus that a leader will be decided after the elections. The three parties—Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)—will sit together and decide.
On the perception that the Opposition has failed to set the narrative in this election.
A. New issues such as the loot of Maharashtra and its daan (donation) to Gujarat are coming to the fore. Industries are being taken to Gujarat. The crimes against women are on the rise. Land is being given to Adani (for the Dharavi redevelopment project). Is it not corruption to give Rs 1 lakh crore worth land for a pittance?
On the Dharavi redevelopment project.
A. We will set things right. Land from Maharashtra should not be given to an industrialist at a throwaway price. This should be cancelled or the proper rates should be charged.