BJP has been given Hindutva party tag. I really don’t know why: 'Metro man' E Sreedharan

'Hindutva is not a religion. Our country has had Hinduism for thousands of years and it embraced all religions that came here afterwards,' Sreedharan said

The recent decision of E Sreedharan, popularly known as 'Metro Man' to enter politics in Kerala and contend to be an aspirant for the chief minister’s office has raised eyebrows. It’s not just his age (88), but also his choice of party (BJP) in a state where it has not seen electoral success so far. In an interview with DH’s Arjun Raghunath, Sreedharan recalls being in the RSS during his school years and that the lack of progress in Kerala had prompted him to enter politics at this age.

Was it a sudden decision to enter politics or a long thought-out one?

I took the decision to join politics only recently as I was so far fully engaged with many projects. The last project I took up was the reconstruction of the Palarivattom flyover in Kochi, which is also almost complete now. Since I am still mentally and physically active, I wish to use my knowledge and experience for Kerala's progress. This thought made me join politics.

Why did you choose to join BJP?

I could have opted for any party. I did not find much prospect in the Congress-led United Democratic Front and CPM-led Left Democratic Front that have been successively ruling Kerala all these years. Hence, I decided to join BJP. Moreover, I have been a BJP sympathiser for quite some time. I have been trained and brought up in that tradition. My family was very religious. I was part of RSS for seven years during my school and college days in my home district Palakkad. I have no hesitation in admitting that whatever values and principles I have now originated from RSS training, most importantly love for the country and society, doing everything in a righteous way and being honest.

Do you feel that if the BJP comes to power in Kerala, they will live by these values?

They will have to. I will be only part of such politics. I will not be part of vindictive politics.

Will BJP's Hindutva tag affect its growth in Kerala?

Hindutva is not a religion. Our country has had Hinduism for thousands of years and it embraced all religions that came here afterwards. No religion was driven away from here. Unfortunately, BJP is being given the Hindutva tag. BJP means love for country and people and never says love for any particular religion. However, there are political parties like Indian Union Muslim League that stand for a particular religion. Even the names of those parties clearly convey that. Even then such parties were not being given the tag of those particular religions. Those parties were not being termed as religious parties. Only BJP is being termed as a party of one religion. I really don't know why it is so.

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The Narendra Modi government is seen as being intolerant.

The Modi government is not at all showing any sort of intolerance. It is just an allegation being raised by vested interest groups who want to topple the government. That is only a minor section of the society. People who elected Modi to power do not have such a feeling. There are a few activists who raise such allegations. It is being given much importance.

How do you see Rahul Gandhi? Will he emerge as a popular leader?

Except for the Gandhi brand, what is Rahul's contribution to the country? I feel Congress has lost ground especially due to his irresponsible utterances. He is even calling the Prime Minister of the country a liar and a robber. Modi has never spoken in the way Rahul has. A strong opposition party is indeed required in a democratic country. But we do not have such an opposition party now.

Do you feel that your freedom to openly express your views will be curtailed as you are now a party member?

I don't think so. Certainly, I won't hesitate to make public such opinions in future also. I believe in a politics where the good things being done by other political parties should also be appreciated instead of blindly opposing everything and indulging in character assassination. That is my politics. It is for this reason that I openly stated that rather than a second term for Kerala Chief Minister Pinaryi Vijayan, I prefer Congress leader and former CM Oommen Chandy as the next Chief Minister of Kerala. I have worked closely with both of them. They have entirely different attitudes and ways of dealing with things. From my personal experience, I have a lot of respect for Oommen Chandy’s approach.

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We often criticise politicians for not giving way to the younger generations. But you are entering politics at 88.

I am entering politics at 88 as I was fully engaged in my professional work so far and had no time to think of entering politics. As of now, my health permits me to be in politics. Moreover, I wish to use my knowledge and experience for the betterment of Kerala. I will be working in Kerala only and would prefer not to take up any assignments outside Kerala.

What are your priorities for Kerala if a BJP government should come to power?

What has happened in Kerala over the years is that no major development has taken place and hence the economy is suffering, the level of unemployment is shooting up. Instead of showing the green flag to investors, Kerala has been showing the red flag. This has not only affected new investments, but even Kerala-based industrialists are taking their business out of the state. There are a lot of Malayalis who are successfully running industries abroad, especially in the Middle East. Most of them wish to make investments in Kerala. But the fear of the red flag has been chasing them away. This scenario has to change, and investors should be welcomed. Industrial growth strengthens the economy. Then the state will not have to go in for borrowings and the unemployment crisis will be addressed.

Will you be contesting Assembly elections? What is your hope for BJP in the elections?

Yes, I will be contesting, but the constituency has not yet been decided. I have left it to the party leadership to select. But I have requested that I may be allowed to contest from anywhere near my place.