Days after switching over to the Congress from BJP, Udit Raj, MP from North-West Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, says that the BJP is anti-Dalit.
On BJP’s Dalit talk
The BJP doesn’t want Dalits as leaders. Dalits are only votebanks for them. This election, they have dropped 52 per cent of the sitting Dalit MPs. It’s mere symbolism and votebank politics for them.
On ticket denial by BJP
I raised questions against some party decisions. I supported the entry of women to Sabarimala, which was against the party stand. I have also spoken against Una lynchings, the Rohit Vemula suicide and Saharanapur violence. I supported the Bharat bandh on the dilution of SC/ST Act and demanded probe on the atrocities against Dalits.
On his sidelining
The party wants deaf-dumb leaders. They never took me into confidence on many important issues. Amit Shah never met me even for even once in the last three years. But I focused my energy on working for the constituency. But why did they deny me a ticket when reports say I am the best MP in the country?
On joining Congress
It’s not opportunism. My relationship with BJP was always give and take. I lent my voice to the poor and the downtrodden in Parliament. Rahul and Priyanka had asked me to contest earlier on a Congress ticket. They had warned me that BJP will ditch me.
On Mayawati's jibe at Modi
She is absolutely correct. Modi was in the list of general category before he became the CM of Gujarat. To woo OBC votes, he became an OBC leader.
On BJP’s prospects
There is a wave against BJP throughout the country. They will lose all seats in Delhi. The purpose is to defeat the Modi-Shah dictatorship. No one has any voice in the party.
