Can I please everyone? | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
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Can I please everyone?

PTI | ByParmanand Jha
May 03, 2004 01:22 PM IST

MoS Digvijay Singh "respects all party workers, but can't please them all".

In a candid interview with Parmanand Jha, JD(U) candidate from Banka Lok Sabha constituency and Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Digvijay Singh, talks of his chances at the hustings a third time round.

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What are the chances of you performing a hat-trick from Banka Lok Sabha constituency?
I feel a kind of satisfaction in serving the people of my constituency. This alone gives me hope of doing a hat-trick.

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If you are re-elected, what will be on the top of your priority list for the welfare of the voters?
My constituency has been an industrially-backward area. I have been striving hard to create the necessary infrastructure for setting up of industries. I have succeeded in getting four rail line projects for Banka. Work is also in progress to ensure 24-hour power supply to the area.

After a lot of persuasion, I got the officials concerned of the National Power Grid Corporation to grant a super grid for Banka. Vice-president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat laid the foundation stone for the grid on February 1 last.

A section of local BJP workers allege that you don’t make any effort to co-ordinate with them and they feel neglected?
I respect all party workers and give careful consideration to their demands and problems. But, it is difficult to please all of them at all times. However, I know there are many BJP and JD (U) workers and common people, who are working hard for the success of the NDA in the polls without asking for anything in return. All I want to say is that I am a NDA candidate and seeking votes to strengthen the hands of Atalji. Will the sulking BJP workers (if any) not agree with me?

Even a section of your castemen is said to be angry with you. Have you initiated any measures to soothe ruffled feelings so that their votes don’t go against you?
I don’t believe in appeasement of caste groups and am least bothered about their heartburn. I believe that the development-oriented voters, irrespective of caste and creed, would vote in my favour.

Why should people vote for you?
I ask the electorate to judge my performance and that of the NDA government during the previous term. I can say with confidence that no other MP in Banka or for that matter any government at the centre has initiated more development work than what the NDA has done in a short span of five years. I hope that these yardsticks would stand me in good stead.

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