‘BJP has had full majority in last 10 years. Has it changed the Constitution?’: Naveen Jindal

Naveen Jindal Kurukshetra Lok Sabha constituency

Former Kurukshetra MP and industrialist Naveen Jindal during his poll campaign in Kaithal district in Haryana on Tuesday. (Express Photo/ Parveen K Dogra)

Former long-time Congressman and two-term Member of Parliament (MP) representing Haryana’s Kurukshetra, Naveen Jindal made a significant move by joining the BJP just before the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. He is now set to challenge the INDIA alliance candidate Sushil Gupta and Indian National Lok Dal’s Abhay Singh Chautala.

In an extensive interview with Parveen K Dogra, the 54-year-old industrialist talks on topics ranging from the farmers’ agitation to the pressing issue of unemployment and shares his blueprint for the development of Kurukshetra.

You have been a long-time Congressman. How does it feel to be in the BJP now?

It feels good. A lot of people who worked with me in the Congress also joined the BJP with me. I have also known all these BJP people for a long time. In 1996, my father contested on an HVP (Haryana Vikas Party) ticket…which was in alliance with the BJP. When I was MP here (2004-2014), I have never differentiated between people from Congress or the BJP. I have been with everyone, for everyone.

Being a successful businessman and philanthropist, why is it important for you to be a member of Parliament?

I don’t want to work for just a million people. I want to work for a billion people. That is why I chose politics to make the country of my dreams. It has a far-reaching impact and we have a family relationship with thousands of families in each of the Assembly constituencies over here (Kurukshetra), started by my father (O P Jindal). So this gives you a reason to go to somebody’s house and they also come to yours. That is the relationship I share in Kurukshetra.

I also have some unfulfilled dreams for the people here. I want this region to develop and prosper. I have worked here from 2004-14 and have gained a lot of experience and will use that now as an MP.

Naveen Jindal, Kurukshetra Lok Sabha

Naveen Jindal on the way to one of his public meeting as a part of poll campaign in Kurukshetra in Haryana. (Express Photo/ Parveen K Dogra)

What are the key issues you are addressing in Kurukshetra?

One of the key issues is unemployment and to tackle that, I have planned to set up two institutes, India’s best vocational training institutes, in Kurukshetra and Kaithal. Over 10,000 students will be given training every year and they can get much better jobs not just in India but abroad. We are trying to have a tie-up with different vocational institutes in different countries so that they find our students trained as per their standards.

I would also like to improve the quality of education and services in the hospitals and the quality of infrastructure, and I want to develop Kurukshetra as a top-class destination in India for religious and spiritual tourism. After all, it is the land where the Mahabharata was fought and where Lord Krishna gave the sermon of Gita. So it is very important for us. I want people from all over the world to come here.

How do you see the resentment for the BJP among voters?

You are assuming there is any resentment. In a democracy, obviously, there are different viewpoints. You cannot emphasise there is so much resentment. It is not so much. There may be some but there is overwhelming support for us.

Being in Opposition for 10 years, don’t you think you could have easily won from the Congress this time? How wise is the decision to switch to BJP?

You don’t change your party just to win or lose. There are so many reasons and I don’t want to get into this. I was inspired by the work the BJP has done, I am inspired by the work Mr [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi has done. I wanted to work with them and that is why I joined them.

Naveen Jindal, Kurukshetra Lok Sabha

Naveen Jindal is facing Sushil Gupta and Abhay Singh Chautala in Kurukshetra seat. (Express Photo/ Parveen K Dogra)

How did you manage to bail out your business from debt in 2014 to a successful empire in 2024? How will you use that skill in the political arena?

Focus is key. You will have to focus on one thing at a time. Focused attention and prioritising things is important to deliver. We work with strict discipline in our company and that is what I will try to do in our constituency. We will take up important things first which will make a difference in people’s lives.

You were accused of being silent when farmers were protesting and being stopped from going to Delhi. Your take?

I was focusing on my work. I have always been in touch with the people here. There weren’t any (protesting farmers) from Haryana. The people who were stopped, they were from Punjab. If somebody wants to say something in a peaceful manner they can but the government will also have to maintain law and order for the convenience of common people. Farmers in Haryana are so happy and they have no issues. There are some people with vested interests, they try to create issues. Otherwise, farmers in Haryana are very happy.

Your blueprint for the development of the region?

There are 900 villages in nine Assembly constituencies in Kurukshetra. Every village has a different requirement. Haryana villages are quite developed and basic amenities are there but definitely, things can further be improved. We will work on different plans for different areas as per their requirements.

Naveen Jindal, Kurukshetra Lok Sabha

Naveen Jindal says farmers in Haryana are happy with the government and he is facing no resentment. (Express Photo/ Parveen K Dogra)

How do you see the caste dynamics of the electorate here?

I don’t focus on caste dynamics. I have supporters from all across and I do not go for any caste nor do I believe in it. I think these are the things of the past. Today, we have to rise above caste and party affiliations to see the best interests of the country. Here, people have an opportunity to build the country of their dreams and to vote for a party that dreams of a developed country.

I would like to urge all the voters to support the BJP and it is Modi who has said he will develop India as a developed country…Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat. The BJP’s Sankalp Patra is a step in that direction.

One announcement you, as a BJP candidate from Kurukshetra, would like to make for the farmers here who are upset with your party?

Farmers are our annadaatas (food providers) and are very important for all of us. The BJP has always worked in the favour of the farmers and will continue to work in favour of them. So we need all our farmers’ support in this journey. It is the BJP which has continuously been giving Rs 6,000 per year as Kisan Samman Nidhi to small farmers who own land less than 5 acres. The direct transfer of money to the beneficiaries has helped them to get rid of middlemen.

Your opponents allege that you will not be available for common people here as you have a business empire to lead. How do you respond?

I will work as a member of Parliament and an MP works in Delhi, representing the constituency in the Parliament…he also has to work in parliamentary councils and makes laws. An MP is not necessarily always available in the constituency. A common man understands that and I am not alone in working for the region. A whole lot of BJP cadre, workers, and position holders will work with me for the development of Kurukshetra.

How do you see BJP’s ‘Abki baar 400 paar’ slogan, and the Opposition’s claim that BJP will amend the Constitution and kill democracy?

A few people are good at spreading false news and misinformation. This is false propaganda that the BJP will change this and that. The party has had a full majority in the last 10 years. Has it changed the Constitution? These are plain rumours and people have started understanding it. We are receiving so much love and support from the common people.

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