Can’t imagine rebelling against BJP... I was sure I had to withdraw the nomination even before I filed it: Rathore

In a tete-a-tete with CEO and Managing Editor of First India News Pawan Arora, newly appointed BJP State President, Madan Rathore opens up about the various facets of his life as a public representative and as a man of the organisation. Rathore speaks freely on varied topics ranging from his early political life to the challenges his presidency will have to overcome in the state. Excerpts....

Q. You have been a two-time legislator, serving once from 2003 to 2008 and the second time from 2013 to 2018, and both times you defeated Congress stalwart Bina Kak. You had a good political career but you were not repeated by the party in the next elections. And this time when your ticket was cut, you became so agitated that you thought of rebelling and filing a nomination as an independent. What happened?

A. Look, I would not have even imagined rebelling. There was a small hiss, nothing else.

Q. It is said you withdrew your nomination after Modi ji’s call?

A. Yes Modiji called me, but even if he had not called, I would have withdrawn it. This feeling (of contesting as a rebel) came to my mind only due to human nature, but I can never imagine indiscipline towards the BJP

Q. But what was this communication gap? If they had to give you important post later, they could have told you earlier, and you wouldn’t have taken such steps.

A. Perhaps they were testing my patience. (Laughs)

Q. But as you told me, you have a longstanding relationship with Modi ji. You come from the same caste and maintain good communication with him...

A. I came to know about his caste later when an article came. In that article, his caste was mentioned, and that is when I came to know that he is from my caste. I did not know before that.

Q. Is it that you were sent to Rajya Sabha only because seeing your rebellious attitude central leadership felt that they should appease you? Did you withdraw your nomination with this expectation or did you withdraw it out of respect for Modiji?

A. No, there is no question of appeasement. If he had not persuaded me, what could I have done? I would have taken the nomination back anyway. As I told you, I never think like this. But when a call came and a one-line conversation took place that ‘Madan Rathore, go & withdraw’. I said Pranam Sahab, and he told me to withdraw. I could not say anything further and the call got disconnected. He was also confident that once he has said it, matter would be over. And I was about to withdraw the nomination anyway. Thereafter, Minister Gajendra Singh came with a charter plane. But even if he had not come, I would have withdrawn the form. However, he came, took me along and I withdrew the nomination form.

Q. When you were appointed as the state president, two things came to the fore. One was that the previous state president CP Joshi wanted to be relieved from this post. Secondly, it was said very openly that you have been brought because the BJP wanted to satisfy the original OBCs in Rajasthan and wanted to give a message. So, is it that you have been made the state president to balance the caste equations or is it that you have been rewarded for working for the organisation for such a long time?

A. Only the leadership knows what the reason was. But what I think is that Joshi ji has done a very good job. All our Presidents in the past, have put in their best efforts and have worked very hard to strengthen the party. But situations keep changing and positions keep changing. I think that the leadership felt that this person could get something done so they sent me here. The MP in Lok Sabha is comparatively a busy person, although there is a lot of work for Rajya Sabha, but something must have come to the central leadership’s mind that I can spare some time so they gave me this work. Moreover, it (stepping down from BJP Presidency) does not matter, he (CP Joshi) will get some other work.

Q. When we review the results of Lok Sabha, one thing comes up prominently that the workers were over confident of BJP getting votes on Modiji’s face. So they did not come out and did not make as much effort as was expected of them. Now 6 by-elections are coming up. Are you doing anything to motivate the workers or fill them with new enthusiasm so that such a thing does not happen in the future?

A. You have asked a practical question. Truth is when party comes to power, the party worker becomes little laid back, thinking that everyone else is working so I don’t need to work aggressively.

Q. The CM is a downto-earth man. He tours a lot, stays in the field, and also holds lot of review meetings of depts. According to you, how has the work of Bhajan Lal govt been so far?

A. See, Bhajan Lal ji is very active & hardworking, and wants to do every work with vigour. Work that he has done, has been good. Be it ERCP, which was pending since Raje ji’s time on which the Congress did nothing for 5 years.