Mulayam Singh’s Samajwadi Party is on Defensive: Atul Anjan

Election fever is catching up in UP. Political parties have started their search for suitable partners. Though none has divulged their strategy so far, battle-lines are being drawn. Hi Time Express’s Aziz Haider talked to Atul Kumar Anjan, Secretary of CPI to get an idea as to what are going to be the party’s leanings in the coming elections. Excerpts from the interview:
Q: With election fever catching up, what predictions do you have for the State?
Atul Kumar Anjan: Before the State Assembly Elections, we will witness a very pitched battle for municipal corporations, nagar palika and nagar palika parishad. This will be a litmus test for all political parties and will show the sort of trend that exists today. In certain sections media has already forecasted that trend is going for a particular party and Mulayam’s Samajwadi Party is on defensive. About 10 months back when the Samajwadi Party had come out with flying colours in the Zila Panchayat elections, thereby proving all the political pundits wrong. These forthcoming elections will reflect the mood of the urban and semi-urban people. It is said that these elections are being conducted on the directives of High Court but it seems Samajwadi Party has already geared their tentacles and are fully prepared. That is why the State Government gave over 600 crore rupees to the local bodies for development projects. This shows they apprehended the elections and were prepared.
Q: But urban areas are not Samajwadi Party’s strongholds?
Atul Kr. Anjan: Anti-incumbency factor will surely play its part. But we have seen the Governments of Kalyan Singh, Ram Prakash Gupta, Mayawati and Rajnath Singh. They failed to deliver. During the three years, at least SP delivered. Several development projects are coming up!
Q: And the law and order situation too has aggravated…
Atul Kr. Anjan: Law and order was not up to the mark even in BJP period. I admit that the law and order situation has worsened and they could not fasten their belts in a more positive manner. But as a sociologist, I feel this is because of the emergence of neo-rich in the society, post liberalization, who have no values for democratic traditions. They think money plays a decisive role. This is a national trend. Let’s not play politics on this issue. Let’s see the changes that are taking place.
Q: No politics even when an increasing number of people who break law have Samajwadi connections.
Atul Kr. Anjan: (diverges the subject to talk on how more and more politicians, even small time politicians, are putting up nameplates on their cars.)
Q: Tell us clearly, how you rate the performance of this Government?
Atul Kr. Anjan: I am much critical of this Government on the question of law and order. Otherwise many things have been done. Development projects, medical colleges have been established. It is the first time UP doesn’t have balance of payment crisis.
Q: Congress says money is there in coffers because Government didn’t spend it.
Atul Kr. Anjan: I fail to understand why Congress is abusing this Government. In Nainital, Congress ruled Chief Minister’s Conference took place, recently. These States have not spent the money given by Centre. Congress ruled states are not better performing. Mulayam has given 22000 acres to Anil Ambani to establish a power project at least. But Congress has given 25000 acres of land to Mukesh Ambani group in Haryana, 5000 acres in Delhi and even Vasundhara Raje in Rajasthan has given 4500 acres in Jaipur city to Mahindra and Mahindra. We were opposing it from beginning.
We are not with Mulayam. We have launched campaign against him. But BJP, Congress and BSP should tell how many struggles they have launched. Why don’t BSP spell out its foreign policy or its approach towards FDI in retail or high-fi sectors or privatization of banks? This is the party that had tied hands with BJP. These parties cannot change the destiny of UP.
Q: From your words, it seems Left parties are the only ones that speak on issues. Why is it that you yourself don’t see eye to eye?
Atul Kr. Anjan: It is true that CPI and CPI (M) have different perceptions in UP. But I can tell you, you won’t find CPI and CPM fighting against each other. Policies may force us to be in different fronts, but we are not going to fight each other. We will fight for common people!