UP governor Ram Naik justifies his pro-active style, RSS ties

MUMBAI: Veteran BJP leader Ram Naik today justified, among other things, his decision to come out with a report card on his performance in the first three months as the Uttar Pradesh Governor, saying that communication with people was necessary in the democracy.

Speaking to reporters at Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh, Naik sought to downplay the criticism he was facing from ruling Samajwadi Party over his pro-active style.

"I agree that earlier Governors never came out with report card. I did that. You may give me credit, or criticise me. I am functioning within constitutional limits," he asserted.

He also defended his decision to invite RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to Raj Bhavan. "I have invited several political leaders...RSS leaders came to my house to have food. There was no meeting. Before taking oath as the Governor, I quit primary membership of BJP. There is no provision of resigning from RSS. One is a swayamsevak (volunteer) as long as he feels to be one. I consider myself a swyamsevak."

Uttar Pradesh was facing a severe power crisis, Naik said, adding that he called union power minister Piyush Goyal and asked him to take steps to improve the situation.

"Goyal and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav will meet soon. If my intervention helps Uttar Pradesh to overcome the power crisis, I will be happy," he said, adding if this is interference, the intention behind it is important.

Infrastructure development was extremely necessary in UP and uninterrupted power supply was a prerequisite, the former union minister said.

His first challenge was to improve the standard of education in Uttar Pradesh, Naik said "as the chancellor of 24 universities in the state, I have focused on declaration of results, proper admissions and holding of convocations. I convened a meeting of all the vice chancellors to improve the situation," he said.