‘Only nominee is PM Modi, I’m his representative’

Initially reluctant to contest from Bihar’s

Begusarai

, BJP’s hardline Hindutva poster boy Giriraj Singh tells Piyush Kumar Tripathi that people won’t forget those who try to divide the country


Rivals accuse you of making communal remarks.I am a proud Hindu. We should all be. These political rivals who accuse me are also proud of their religion. They make communal remarks. Congress’s Navjot Singh Sidhu has asked Muslims to vote against PM Modi, as if he is a messenger for Pakistan. Such statements divide the country and the people won’t forgive them. Giriraj won’t need an inch of land for his burial. But people who need three arms’ length of land from Bharat Mata after their death won’t say Vande Mataram.

What do you think of Rahul Gandhi?
He is contesting from Wayanad because he is scared of Modi and Smriti Irani (BJP candidate in Amethi). He knows he can’t win voters’ trust, so he is taking a pro-Pakistan line, abusing armed forces and hugging separatists. When he went to file his nomination, Wayanad had turned into Rawalpindi. There were more IUML flags, which look like Pakistan flags, than those of Congress.

What are your chances in Begusarai? You weren’t too keen on the seat initially.
The only NDA nominee is Narendra Modi. I’m merely his representative. In 2014, the people found hope in Modi. That translated into trust and confidence this time as well. Begusarai has given me a warm welcome. I did not hesitate to take up the fight for Begusarai. It is my own land and these are my own people. I have covered nearly all of the 2,200 villages in this seat.

Kanhaiya Kumar calls himself ‘Begusarai ka beta’?

He is jittery. Whenever the people of Begusarai show him black flags, he says they are my supporters. Separatists and supporters of terrorism have assembled and are trying to disrupt peace and harmony in Begusarai. But the voters will stand by me.

Do you think there could be a division of

Bhumihar

votes between you and Kanhaiya?
I don’t care about those who try to contest elections by dividing voters. I am here to unite people. My only agenda is development. My fight is against people with evil and anti-national thoughts.