If BJP is defeated in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, it will be a question mark on the leadership of Narendra Modi, and a win for AAP in Punjab will change the political discourse and language between Centre and state as compared to Delhi.” This statement was made by Rifat Jawaid, founding editor of Janta Ka Reporter and former Editor, BBC United Kingdom, during a programme organised by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind at its headquarters in the Capital on 7 January.
On the apprehension of people about election results and its impact on the numbers in Rajya Sabha, Jawaid said that even if BJP does not get the required numbers for the Rajya Sabha after the state elections they have the ordinance to do what they want.
“In Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati has an edge and the issue of demonetisation, Dalits, Muslims, communal riots will be important factors and there is also the possibility of any kind of polarisation attempt ahead of elections,” said Jawaid while addressing the public meet on ‘Upcoming State Elections – Fear and Possibilities.’
“I don’t agree to the recent opinion polls survey by some channels which claims BJP will get maximum seats in most of the states going to polls. To my mind and based on my personal experience, polls survey is sometimes manipulated here, unlike in Western countries where most of the time they have done it accurately,” he argued.
While replying to a question, the learned speaker told Radiance that people by their voting behaviour in Delhi surprised us all. Muslims also have shown political maturity which was also evident during Bihar elections. Muslims have become politically more mature and we hope they will surprise us in Uttar Pradesh as well because their role is going to be very crucial here.
On the question of any kind of polarisation with the presence of Asaduddin Owaisi in UP and reminder of Mayawati alliance with the BJP in the past, he said we have seen as to how MIM presence in Maharashtra polarised the state and therefore people of Uttar Pradesh will have to display their political maturity and vote tactically. Mayawati has never talked of Muslims in the past the way she is doing now and therefore we can say things are now changing fast.