Lokayukta has made a difference in Uttrakhand: Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri

Retired Maj Gen Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri has earned himself the image of an efficient and clean administrator during his stints as chief minister of Uttarakhand and Union minister for roads. This is why BJP handed him back charge of the state, when it wanted to bolster its image just before the assembly polls.

He responded by passing a lokayukta bill. His military background helps him even today: Khanduri walked around 6 km in the snow to file his nomination papers at Kotdwar, in Pauri district. But the Maj Gen's political acumen was in display when he ducked controversial issues in an interview with Amita Shah. Excerpts:

What are your main election issues?

It will be corruption, welfare activities and schemes for women. We will go to the people highlighting the difference between five years of Congress rule from 2002 to 2007 and the BJP regime after 2007. With several 'ghotalas' surfacing, we changed the rule for recruiting government employees, making it fool-proof. Uttarakhand was the first state to have a separate budget for women… We will list out all these measures.

Your state has enacted the Lokayukta Act, but your party opposed making lokayuktas mandatory on states, in Parliament.

Why should BJP back a weak Lokpal bill? Let the UPA government adopt a Lokpal bill similar to the Lokayukta Act in Uttarakhand.

Team Anna had endorsed your Lokayukta Act, which covers the chief minister, government servants, including IAS and IPS officers and lower judiciary. How far will Hazare impact the elections?

I have praised him and still praise him. The average Indian gave up the fight against graft. Anna took it up, arousing people's conscience. He made them aware that it was not an impossible battle. It's his gift to the people.

Will Hazare's latest strategy of keeping his campaign apolitical make a difference to BJP's performance?

He has his political views. But I respect him for his fight against corruption. The Lokayukta Act has made a lot of difference. Now people's concerns are being properly addressed. It was a bill passed unanimously in the state assembly.

BJP made a last-minute decision to replace Pokhriyal with you; how far this will impact the poll outcome?

You can look at this in two ways: One is that it was a last-minute move. The other is at least some strategic change was done. I have been in the party for around two decades. I will face the election on the basis of the work done.

Infighting seems to have hit state BJP after 36 MLAs were denied tickets. How will you deal with this?

There are differences in every party. MLAs being denied tickets is a natural phenomenon. Various issues were kept in mind and these decisions are made not only at the district and state levels but also at the central level.

BJP's decision to induct Babu Singh Kushwaha in UP seems to have hit its anti-corruption campaign. Will it have an adverse effect in Uttarakhand?

I do not know much about the Kushwaha issue. So, I would rather not comment on it.

Is BSP a challenge in Uttarakhand?

BSP's role is limited to a couple of districts, including Haridwar.

If BJP returns, what will be your focus?

Development of Uttarakhand. I will try to emphasise that the state should get priority over personal welfare.