Narendra Modi’s Third Term: An Interview with Avinash Rai Khanna

A new government has been sworn in, with Narendra Modi taking charge as Prime Minister for the third time. Though his party has not been able to secure an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha, as on two previous occasions, it is still the single-largest party. So, after the last 10 years, India’s polity is reverting to a coalition configuration, which is a more common historic pattern.

The Publisher, Dr Avi Verma of the Indo-US Tribune had the honor of interviewing Avinash Rai Khanna, BJP In-charge of Himacal Pradesh. Khanna has held positions in the Rajya Sabha as well as the 14th Lok Sabha in the past. The two discussed various political issues, including coalition governments, electoral strategies, governance challenges, opposition dynamics, and the reservation system in India. Below are some of the excerpts from the interview:

Indo-US Tribune: What do you have to say about BJP not securing a majority this time? There is a reduction in the number of seats that BJP won. Will it affect the functioning of the government in any way?

Khanna: Even during Atal Ji’s tenure as the PM, we ran a successful coalition government, which is still considered one of the best. In Modi Ji’s two terms, despite having an absolute majority, we always respected our allies. Our current cabinet has been formed with equal opportunity and respect for coalition members. Modi Ji has assured that strong steps will be taken to ensure smooth governance. The NDA partners have expressed their support for Modi Ji’s leadership, and I am confident this government will deliver excellent results. Regarding the reduction in seats, we reached a saturation point in Rajasthan and had a strong margin in UP. We lost five seats in Haryana. Many people are mentioning issues like the Ram Mandir controversy affecting electoral outcomes in UP. I think elections involve opposition parties coming together, and we must accept the people’s mandate. We lost many seats by narrow margins, and we will analyze the reasons. Our workers have helped nearly 25 crore people rise above the poverty line. We will continue working hard and improve our communication strategies to address bigger issues.

Indo-US Tribune: Two of the main representatives of this coalition are N. Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar. Both these politicians have their own ambitions. Will it be difficult for Modi Ji to keep both of them happy and maintain a stable government?

Khanna: Modi Ji is an expert leader. Despite media speculation, he has formed the cabinet smoothly. All coalition members, including Naidu and Kumar, are committed to supporting Modi Ji. They believe only Narendra Bhai Modi can take the country forward, and they have pledged their full support.

Indo-US Tribune: The economic policies of BJP, the ambition that Modi Ji has taken, Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, considering the country being divided on the issue of religion, how easy or difficult will it be for the Modi government to achieve targets along with striking a balanced approach?

Khanna: There are two parts to your question. First, regarding stability, we are close to an absolute majority. Our experienced ministers have taken charge, and we are confident in running the coalition government effectively. On economic policies, since Modi Ji’s government came to power, India has become economically sound and is now the fifth-largest economy. We aim to reach the third position soon. Our policies are designed to uplift the poorest, providing housing, sanitation, and food security. What the Modi government has done over the years was unimaginable until sometime back for a lot of people. His achievements include the removal of Article 370 and the construction of the Ram Temple. We aim for a developed India by 2047, as demonstrated by our successful hosting of G20 meetings and I am sure we will make it happen.

Indo-US Tribune: The Congress party’s seat count has doubled, and it is trying to rebound under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership. Do you see a strong opposition emerging, and what do you think about the role of opposition in the country?
Khanna: The government and opposition have their own paths. A constructive opposition can help fulfill the dream of a developed India. The Congress party’s leadership crisis is a significant issue for them. While Mallikarjun Kharge plays an important role, the Gandhi family still dominates the party. A good opposition role will undoubtedly accelerate our development.

Indo-US Tribune: At what level do you see yourself in the third tenure of the Modi government? How do you think your role can benefit Modi 3.0?

Khanna: I have held many important political roles across different states and performed my duties with transparency and dedication. My intention is to help the party move forward. Despite BJP’s large membership, we have a long way to go. Success requires an honest and dedicated approach.

Indo-US Tribune: Reflecting on the incident that happened with Kangana Ranaut in Chandigarh, do you feel that the politics of India is going in the wrong direction?

Khanna: What happened with Kangana should not have occurred. Such misbehavior by a uniformed officer is unacceptable. Politicizing the incident was also wrong. Politics should maintain integrity and standards. The fear of a new trend of destructive behavior is concerning.

Indo-US Tribune: How do you view the issue of reservation?

Khanna: We respect the Constitution and the reasons for reservation to marginalized classes. However, we also focus on empowering youth through entrepreneurship. Initiatives like ‘Startup India’ and ‘Stand-Up India’ encourage capable individuals to carve their own paths. To conclude, I congratulate the BJP, NDA, and Modi Ji on the third term. I hope this tenure will bring more stability and make the path to 2029 smoother. I remain confident in Modi Ji’s leadership driving India’s growth and stability.

Highlights of the conversation:

1. Coalition Governments and Electoral Strategies: The conversation touches upon the history of successful coalition governments, highlighting Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s term and the current NDA government led by Shri Narendra Modi Ji. It acknowledges the importance of allies and the need to respect their contributions.

2. Election Results and Losses: The conversation delves into the recent election results, analyzing the reasons behind losing seats in certain regions. Khanna mentioned issues like the Ram Mandir controversy affecting electoral outcomes.

3. Government Stability and Economic Policies: Despite a reduced majority, there’s confidence in the government’s ability to govern effectively. The current economic stability and the implementation of various welfare schemes are cited as indicators of successful governance.

4. Role of Opposition: The importance of a strong and constructive opposition is acknowledged by Khanna, as it serves as a check on the government’s actions. However, there’s also criticism of the opposition’s leadership crisis and lack of clear direction.

5. Personal Role and Responsibility: Khanna expresses readiness to take on any responsibility assigned by the party and emphasizes the goal of party unity and growth.

6. Political Incidents and Public Behavior: The incident involving Kangana Ranaut is discussed, with an emphasis on maintaining decorum and respectful behavior in politics.

7. Reservation System: The conversation addresses concerns about the reservation system and its impact on merit-based opportunities. It suggests a focus on creating avenues for entrepreneurship and job creation rather than solely relying on government jobs.

Overall, the discussion reflected on various challenges and opportunities in Indian politics, with an optimistic outlook for the future under the leadership of Narendra Modi and the BJP.