Union Rural Development Minister CP Joshi in conversation with Swati Chaturvedi, on her programme Kahiye Janab, spills the beans about his sudden appointment as a cabinet minister, Congress’ NREGA mission and his love for cricket.
The project that you are looking after is massive and seems so unmanageable. In fact people are comparing NREGA with Mohammad Bin Tughluq’s futile and wasteful undertakings?
No, no, there is nothing like that. NREGA is providing guaranteed employment in rural areas for 100 days a year. It has brought solution to the problem of migration by creating job opportunities in villages.
People say that NREGA was Sonia and Rahul Gandhi’s dream. But many like Montek Singh Ahluwalia hold a different opinion. Even the CAG has indicted government over it?
Actually, no one has read the NREGA Act properly. It is the best practical example of decentralization of power. It has empowered the Panchayats and several bodies at the local level. The support and patronization given by Sonia Gandhi is tremendous and the results are already showing.
But why has Montek Singh Ahluwalia shown his contempt, though he is supposedly close to the PM?
Is it? But I think it is otherwise. In fact whenever he has met me, he has asked me about NREGA and has given me several suggestions too. He has encouraged me so much.
Do you think NREGA had a role to play in UPA’s coming to power a second time?
Our slogan was ‘Congress ka Haath Aam Admi ke Saath’, we promoted Congress as a party of the common man and took care of the needs and aspirations of the Aam Aadmi. Through this scheme we connected to the common people and of course we got its political benefits.
You were defeated by just one vote, and then suddenly you became a cabinet minister?
In fact it is due to the trust reposed in me by Soniaji, Manmohanji and Rahul Gandhi that I am here today. I am not a new comer in politics. I have been for years actively involved in Rajasthan politics and have worked for the state’s people. When I was defeated by one vote I took it as my destiny, thinking that maybe something better is ordained for me and when I was made a cabinet minister, I thought it also to be my destiny.
Many people come to politics to mint money…NREGA is a rich mine….
There are many such people no doubt, but there are honest and hardworking ones too. Why do we forget Rahul Gandhi, who spends nights in villages, meets peoples and solves their problems and is working hard to get acquainted with the ground realities of the country.
Do you think Rahul Gandhi has brought about a change in the Congress?
Undoubtedly. He has infused Congress with freshness. The so called “business politics” is no longer in vogue.
What’s your say on ‘cricket and CP Joshi’? You went out to defeat the czar of cricket, Lalit Modi. Was it a well planned political move?
Cricket is very popular in Rajasthan. But it had stagnated in the past two years. I could sense the interest of the people, and being their leader I thought I should understand this and work for it. Besides, I have a personal interest in cricket and I used to play cricket in my early years. I am happy that I have changed the rules of cricket in Rajasthan.
Lalit Modi worked for Rajasthan cricket, but the changes that he tried to bring were not liked by the people and hence he became unpopular. There environment was tense, there were no matches in the past two years.
Do you think Lalit Modi used Rajasthan Cricket Association as a stepping stone to BCCI? Will you also do the same?
Yes, no doubt it was a stepping stone for him. But I have no such intentions, as of now. I want to work for the people of Rajasthan
Why are you so angry in Parliament?
Oh...it is my way of speaking that makes people think so. I am a common man from a common background. It is possible that people are not able to understand me. What I try to convey with force and sincerity is seen as my anger.
Adaptation: Smita Mishra
