In an interview with IPA, lasting for nearly an hour, Chauhan talked of his vision for the state and his future plans.

Excerpts:

You have been the CM of the State for seven years—longer than any other BJP leader. Some say you are going the Jyoti Basu way. To whom would you like to give the credit for your longevity in office?

It is true that I have got the opportunity to serve the people for a long period. Earlier BJP CMs could not rule for their full term, mainly because the Central government dismissed their governments. If that had not happened, Sunderlal Patwa and Virendra Kumar Sakhlecha would have continued for five years. Since they could not get adequate time, the impact of their work was not felt. My attitude to power is a bit different. I am not in politics to become the Chief Minister. I am there to serve the people. I do not waste a minute of my time. I believe that the sole aim of the government should be to serve the people.

What will be your agenda if your party wins a majority in the 2013 Vidhan Sabha elections and you become the CM again?

My roadmap is ready. It is seven-point and includes development of infrastructure—power, water, roads etc. Good infrastructure is a pre-condition for development. I want to link Narmada and Kshipra rivers so that the water of Narmada can reach the Malwa region. We also propose to link Parwati and Kalisindh. That will bring irrigation to 16 lakh hectares of land and solve the drinking water problem of 17 towns and 3 thousand villages.

I also want to change the crop pattern of the state by promoting Horticulture. Also, I am not particularly happy with the state of health and education sectors.

You have launched many popular schemes like 'Ladli Laxmi' and 'Kanyadaan'. Was the objective only to gain political mileage?

They all are well thought-out schemes. I have been witness to these problems from my childhood. I consider daughters a boon. The 'Ladli Laxmi' scheme has been launched to ensure that the parents do not consider daughters a burden. Even when I was not the Chief Minister, I used to arrange marriages of poor girls.

You have announced that you want to make MP 'Swarnim” (Golden). What do you mean by that?

'Swarnim Madhya Pradesh' means a rise in the standard of living of every resident of the State. No one should remain poor. No one should sleep on empty stomach. For instance, a rickshaw-puller earns Rs. 100 a day. He has to give Rs. 40 to the rickshaw owner. He cannot survive with that meager amount. Now, if we give him a loan to buy a rickshaw, he will earn more and will be able to lead a better life.

You have made intensive efforts to attract investment to the state. You have toured many countries, including US and China for this purpose. Have these efforts yielded positive results?

My US trip was to apprise the people of that country with the efforts made for women empowerment in MP. As for attracting investment, the efforts have brought excellent results. Last year, industrial investment worth Rs. 26,000 crore was made. This year, we hope the figure to touch Rs. 80,000 crore. Additionally, investment proposals worth Rs. 1,00,000 crore are in the pipeline. We are organising a ‘Global Investors Meet' next month. That too will help bring investment to the state.

MP is perennially short of power. Without power, no industry can survive. Will you be able to supply enough power to the industries you say will be coming to MP?

Power production in the state is rising at a rapid pace. We will soon be able to ensure round-the-clock power supply.

Generation of employment for the youth is an important part of development. How many job avenues were created in the state over the last couple of years?

We are shortly going to appoint one lakh teachers. Around 21,000 recruitments will be made in the police force. But this will not solve the problem of unemployment. For that, we will have to create opportunities of self-employment.

The opposition alleges that corruption has struck deep roots in the state in your tenure. Your reaction?

The opposition can say anything. The fact is that we have made intensive efforts to combat corruption. Hundreds of raids have been conducted on the houses of corrupt officers and employees. We have made a law providing for confiscation of properties bought using ill-gotten wealth. Special courts are being constituted to enforce this law.

You are often charged with thrusting Hindu agenda on the State. What have you to say about it?

This charge has absolutely no basis. The BJP is interested in the welfare of all communities. For instance, while we talk of 'Kanyadaan', we also facilitate 'Nikah'. Eid, Christmas and Jain and Sikh festivals are celebrated at my residence. Under the 'Tirthdarshan' scheme for the elderly, Ajmer Sharif is also included in the list of centres of pilgrimage. Last year, more than one lakh Muslim students were given scholarships.

You are a committed Swayamsevak of the RSS. It is said that the RSS often issues directives to you.

This is patently untrue. We work as per the agenda set by the BJP. I cannot remember a single instance when the RSS issued any directive to me.

You are the first CM of the country to allow government employees to take part in the activities of the RSS. What is the justification for this decision?

RSS is an organisation committed to patriotism. Why should anyone be stopped from taking part in the activities of such an organisation?

There is a perception that atrocities on women, dalits and other weaker sections of the society have increased during your chief ministership. What is the reality?

We have taken several measures for the improvement in the lot of women and dalits. The truth is that the incidents of atrocities on weaker sections have come down. Dacoity menace has been almost eliminated.

Recently, LK Advani said that the BJP should build a secular image of itself. How will you implement this suggestion?

Secularism means 'Sarva dharma sambhav'. We are already treading on that path in MP.

Last Question. Chief ministership is a demanding assignment, requiring a lot of physical and mental energy. From where do you get this energy? Is it from your wife Sadhna Singh?

Passion to serve the people is the source of my energy. Thinking about how to serve the people, making schemes for that purpose and implementing them gives me both happiness as well as energy. I want MP to progress in the fields of industry and agriculture. Employment avenues should increase. In short, there should be all-round progress. This dream gives me energy. Of course, my family and my wife are also a source of inspiration and energy for me. (IPA)