Dinesh Pratap Singh, currently a Minister in Yogi Adityanath‘s Cabinet in Uttar Pradesh, is the BJP candidate challenging Congress’ Rahul Gandhi in the high-profile Raebareli constituency. Singh has accused members of the Gandhi family, including former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her husband Feroze Gandhi, of winning elections in Raebareli but ultimately betraying the people.
A former Congress member himself, Singh contested against Sonia Gandhi in Raebareli in 2019, significantly reducing her victory margin from 350,000 in 2014 to 167,000.
In an exclusive exchange at his residence in Raebareli, Singh spoke with senior journalist Ravindra Ojha from The Interview World. He discussed the BJP’s prospects of winning in the Gandhi family stronghold and addressed other critical issues. Here are the key insights from their conversation.
Q: Given your notable performance in challenging Sonia Gandhi in Raebareli during the 2019 elections, what are your strategies and outlook as you now face Rahul Gandhi in the upcoming election?
A: To be candid, I believe I effectively defeated Sonia Gandhi in 2019. She narrowly secured a victory, largely due to the backing of the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, and Apna Dal (Kamerawadi). However, this time, such a coalition of support is absent. Without the support of even one of those parties, the BJP would have emerged victorious. Furthermore, the people of Raebareli have experienced significant improvements under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With consistent 24×7 power supply, access to safe and pollution-free cooking fuel, numerous welfare schemes, and other initiatives, the BJP Government has demonstrably transformed their lives and will continue to do so. Rahul Gandhi has no grounds to contest these achievements.
Q: Given the unique caste demographics in Raebareli, where Dalit, Kshatriya, and Brahmin communities are predominant, what strategies are you employing to address their specific concerns and secure their support?
A: As a BJP candidate, I fully support Prime Minister Modi’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” (Together with All, Development for All). Unlike other factions in Uttar Pradesh that focus solely on social arithmetic, we are committed to advancing the agenda of social justice. We are confident that the success we achieved in Amethi in 2019 will be replicated in Raebareli in 2024. Rahul Gandhi, who engages in politics only intermittently, does not genuinely address the concerns of the people. We are certain he will face a decisive defeat here.
Q: How do you anticipate Priyanka Gandhi’s active campaigning for her brother Rahul Gandhi will impact your campaign strategy and chances of success?
A: Priyanka Gandhi has frequently campaigned nationwide, including in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Despite her efforts, Congress managed to secure only around 15,000 votes in many constituencies. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Congress achieved a victory margin of 350,000 votes. However, following Priyanka’s campaign in 2019, this margin decreased to 150,000 votes. Currently, it appears that Congress seems to lose the Raebareli seat by a significant margin, as Priyanka lacks mass appeal in the region. The Gandhis are facing their final political battle in Raebareli and Amethi, with Congress expected to suffer substantial defeats in both constituencies.
Q: What’s your take on the political strategies and implications of Congress and its alliance’s actions towards Muslim communities, and how do statements like Ram Gopal Yadav’s comment on the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya reflect the current socio-political landscape in India?
A: There is nothing novel in the statements from Congress and figures like Lalu Prasad. This rhetoric is consistent with their longstanding approach. Regarding Ram Gopal Yadav, let him make similar remarks in any village in Uttar Pradesh, and the people’s response will reflect their disapproval.
We constructed the Baba Vishwanath corridor in Kashi and the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya because these sites are central to our faith. Ram Gopal Yadav’s comments are inconsequential; the nation does not take him seriously. Similarly, Sonia Gandhi opposed Shri Ram by denying the existence of Ram Setu, and we can see the current state of Congress as a result. Such statements will only further diminish his party’s standing.
Q: How would you respond to the Gandhi family’s assertion that Raebareli and Amethi are their family strongholds?
A: In a thriving democracy, the sovereignty lies with the public. Priyanka Gandhi asserts that Raebareli and Amethi are entrenched in her family’s legacy, while I counter that no family can claim ownership of these seats. Instead, they rightfully belong to the impoverished youth of both districts. The individual chosen to represent Raebareli and Amethi in Parliament should reflect the will of the people. In a democratic system, familial entitlement holds no sway. The Gandhis’ assertion of ancestral rights mirrors the outdated mindset of feudal lords. However, the electorate will impart them a harsh lesson.
I am poised to secure victory over Rahul Gandhi with a margin akin to his mother Sonia Gandhi’s previous triumph. The Congress party has witnessed a profound decline in this region. To illustrate, in the 2019 elections, I campaigned based on the results of the 2017 assembly polls. In 2017, Congress amassed 340,000 votes across all assembly candidates, while I secured 360,000 votes. Fast forward to the 2022 assembly polls, Congress’s tally dwindled to a mere 140,000 votes, indicating a staggering loss of 200,000 votes.
