Bhim Army Won바카라™t Go With Congress: Chand­rashekhar Azad

Days after announcing his decision to challenge Prime Minister Modi in Varanasi, Bhim Army chief Chand­rashekhar Azad  says his sole aim is to defeat the BJP in this elect­ion. In an interview with Preetha Nair, Azad also scotched rumours of an alliance with Congress. Excerpts:

What바카라™s behind your decision to take on Modi in Varanasi?

Modi is anti-Dalit, his government바카라™s policies have ruined the country. I바카라™ll make sure he바카라™s not re-elected to the Lok Sabha. I have requested the SP-BSP-RLD grand alliance to support me in Varanasi to defeat the PM and send him back to Gujarat. We바카라™ve taken a pledge to defeat the BJP.

But you바카라™d said the Bhim Army wouldn바카라™t be in the fray바카라¦.

During our rally in Meerut, we were arrested though we had permission바카라¦our members were beaten up and detained. If Modi retu­rns to power, the Bahujan will be at the receiving end. It will sound a death-knell for all things constitutional. Our rights will be curtailed. Dalits will teach him a lesson. Uttar Pradesh is a ­sacred land. We urge all parties to support us.

Priyanka Gandhi바카라™s meeting with you has fuelled speculation바카라¦.

Priyanka Gandhi visited me in hospital out of concern and pledged her support in our fight against Modi. I didn바카라™t have any prior knowledge of her visit. We didn바카라™t discuss politics.

What if Congress approaches you?

I won바카라™t ally with the Congress at any cost. My primary aim is to defeat the BJP바카라¦we바카라™ll support parties fighting them. I바카라™m working towards fulfilling Ambedkar바카라™s vision. My aim is to empower the Bahujan.

But if you contest, won바카라™t it become tri-cornered and benefit BJP?

I will try sort it out with Mayawatiji. If they support us in Varanasi, we can return the support in 79 seats. If they wish to field strong candidates like Mayawati, Akhilesh or Mulayam to challe­nge Modi in Varanasi, I바카라™m ready to support that. Our path is the same, we should go together. We will lend support in Bihar and Maharashtra also.

Have you consulted Mayawati on this?

Not yet. Hope she agrees. I am not waiting for anyone바카라™s invitation.

Mayawati has often denied any association with you and calls you a B-team of the BJP.

That바카라™s her personal opinion. Earlier people used to say I바카라™m a BJP agent. After Priyanka바카라™s visit, they call me a Congress agent. By challe­nging Modi, I have proved I am anti-BJP.

Is BSP doing enough for Dalits?

I haven바카라™t seen BSP do enough in the last five years. I was jailed in Sabirpur along with 40 people바카라”no leader came forward to help us get bail. No leader visited the victims of the April 2 violence.

What's the status of Dalits under this government?

There바카라™s large-scale oppression, atrocities have increased. They diluted the SC/ST Act. When Dalits called a strike, many were killed. Hundreds are in jail.

And the 10 per cent quota for elite castes?

It바카라™s a mockery of the Constitution, it clearly says reservation should be based on social backwardness. It바카라™s a political move to appease the elite castes. If we come to power, we will scrap it.

The BJP claims it바카라™s pro-Dalit바카라¦

After I announced my decision, the PM started washing the feet of sanitation workers. Kanshi Ram once said that if caste hegemony is threatened, they will go to any extent to appease바카라¦.