Congress fields new face, its ‘Hanuman’ against ‘Shiv’ in Budhni

 

 

 

In its first list of candidates declared on Sunday, the Congress has fielded new face Vikram Mastal from Budhni seat against stalwart and four-time Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. New face in electoral politics Mastal is a resident of Sehore District and belongs to a farmer family. In an interexclusive view with Vikram Mastal, ‘The Hitavada’ directly asked him that being a television artist and very new to politics, how he would contest from Budhni where BJP’s high-profile candidate and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is in the fray. Is he ready to give tough fight or would it be a one-sided affair?

 

Mastal: No this is not a wrong decision but it is a great decision to give an opportunity to a youth candidate this time. Only youths know the problems and difficulties of new generation and how to tackle them. Now the country needs development by keeping youth in focus. CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan gave here 17 years now he is old to understand the issues of the youths. “Yes I am ready to give competition because I am from Salkanpur, Budhni. My three generations have lived here. I was brought up and grew in Budhni area only. The people are standing against the hypocrisy of misgovernance, untruth and lies that has been going on for the last 17 years. Now Hanuman ji himself has come as a public to fight untruth and lies. Randeep Surjewala and Jitu Patwari have conducted a grand rally here. The crowd that day was worth seeing. You must have also seen it. The public is Janardan. It is the public that has brought Shivraj Chouhan to the post of Chief Minister. Now the public itself is upset and angry with him.

Q All the prominent leaders of the party backed out to contest from this seat and named you to fight. What will be your strategy?

Mastal: First of all I am a martial art player so I know the opponents moves very well and I execute my strategy very silently to defeat the opponent. I am continuously in touch with the public so I strongly believe in the public who are supporting me. On the day of counting everyone will get the answer. He said may guru Kamal Nath and Congress party are always with me and we will win from this seat. I played the character of Hanuman in 2008 Ramayana, it is my good fortune. Because of that I became a recognised face in the area. I have been fortunate that I was also born on a Tuesday. My selection for the role of Hanuman also took place on Tuesday and started politics on the same day by joining the Congress party.

Ghosts and vampires should not come near when Mahavir’s name is recited. No one will be able to make Hanuman ji a scapegoat. I am his devotee, will put up a strong fight.

Q How you came in politics and Congress party? Is there any family background?

Mastal: It was because of the blessings of Lord Hanuman I entered politics. My father and brother were associated with the party for a long time. Asked about the reason behind turning back to his roots in the acting industry dazzle and glamour, Mastal said, “Lack of development in Budhni prompted me to join politics.”

Q How can you say that CM Chouhan has not done any development because you jumped into politics just four months back. Do you know what are the issues?

Mastal: Vikram targeted the CM and claimed that there is zero development here in all these 18 years (of BJP rule), Budhni should have been developed like any other major town with all modern facilities, but the fact is altogether different. Citing an example of lack of development, Mastal claimed, “We have been demanding construction of a dam in the region for long, but nothing has happened. When I filed a complaint about it on the CM Helpline No. 181, my number was blocked by those managing it after a while in June this year.”

During CM’s tenure he made the Salkanpur shrine (dedicated to a Goddess) from a small temple to a grand one, Mastal said that despite all this, a theft took place in the temple around six months back. When temples are not safe in the Chief Minister’s constituency, then one can easily imagine the condition of the common people.

 

Q What issues would you take among people? Which face you will carry, as a youth leader or Hanuman, Brahmin face?

Mastal: Major problems are of farmers and youth. Farmers’ income has declined. They are issues about fertiliser and urea. As this is the election year, farmers got the money for moong just 15 days back.

Not a single youth of Budhni area has got a job under the Government’s Sikho-Kamao Scheme. I can give in writing, he said. When the elections are announced the ruling party gives revadi to the public, mostly to women voters. Government started Ladli Bahna Yojana is just an election gimmick.

Mastal claimed that the roads in the constituency are not developed. You can’t drive at a speed of 40 km per hour. There are potholes on the roads.

Q You joined Congress four months back and directly got ticket against the CM. Share your thoughts on it?

Mastal: I joined Congress in July and is continuously active in the field as a social worker and connected with people. Whenever a webseries was shot here, he used to meet the people here. I have already said that CM Shivraj is scared of defeat so he is holding rallies and meetings here every week.