When prime minister Manmohan Singh reshuffled his cabinet earlier this month, Congress president Sonia Gandhi appointed in-tandem city MP and senior leader Vilas Muttemwar as general secretary of the All India Congress Committee the same day. The seven-term MP feels his three-decades of service to the party has been recognised by giving him such an important organisational post which will provide him chance to participate in the party's highest level decision-making body - the Congress Working Committee (CWC). "This new role brings with it new responsibilities and I will work hard to strengthen the party," says Muttemwar in an interview. Excerpts:
Q: What are the tasks before you in the new assignment?
A: For the last few months all the energy in the party has been used in clearing its name as allegations of corruption in cases like 2-G spectrum allocation and Commonwealth Games piled up. No doubt, the government has initiated swift action at the highest level. Top politicians were arrested and are facing legal action. In this melee, the party has not been able to present to the people at large the positive achievements.
For instance, the food security Bill is a huge step forward as a welfare state. It will provide 7kg foodgrains to a person from below poverty line at as cheap a price of 3 a kg of rice and, 2 for wheat and 1 for jowar. This will ensure that no one in the country goes to sleep hungry. The next step will be to strengthen the public distribution system with people's participation. NREGA is now being implemented in every district providing 100 days' employment to a person seeking work. Right to education brought with Soniaji's initiative is a big achievement for the nation. All these positives of the UPA government need to be highlighted and that will be my priority.
Q: There is a perception that you have been given the party post with 2014 election in view when BJP national president Nitin Gadkari is likely to contest from Nagpur?
A: I don't think such equations are ever considered by the party. Moreover, Nagpur Lok Sabha seat is a Congress stronghold. Despite the RSS being headquartered here since 1925, the BJP could win the seat only once and that too because the candidate that time had a Congress background. People of this city are of secular mindset may be because Mahatma Gandhi was a major influence when he stayed in nearby Sewagram. So there is no reason for the party to worry about saving the seat. I am ready to face any challenge in the next election. I have always fought tough elections and won them.
Q: Will your new role be an advantage for the city you represent in Lok Sabha?
A: I certainly hope so. An important position in the party will help me in better access to the government and get things done. My priority for the city is to get the survey work for city's Metro rail network completed by 2014. Sridharan of New Delhi Metro project has identified Nagpur as feasible for metro. He has said in a recent report that all the cities with more than 20 lakh population should go in for metro rail for mass public transport. I have been pleading for last several years for decongestion of metropolitan cities like New Delhi and Mumbai by shifting headquarters of PSUs from there to cities like Nagpur.
I will also actively pursue with new railway minister Dinesh Trivedi on development of Ajni railway station as world class and on building a new railway overbridge at Ajni to replace the century old rickety one that exists. Mihan, of course, needs a lot of attention. Unless Shivangaon rehabilitation package with funds to back it is in place, the project cannot move ahead.
Q: What are the tasks before you in the new assignment?
A: For the last few months all the energy in the party has been used in clearing its name as allegations of corruption in cases like 2-G spectrum allocation and Commonwealth Games piled up. No doubt, the government has initiated swift action at the highest level. Top politicians were arrested and are facing legal action. In this melee, the party has not been able to present to the people at large the positive achievements.
For instance, the food security Bill is a huge step forward as a welfare state. It will provide 7kg foodgrains to a person from below poverty line at as cheap a price of 3 a kg of rice and, 2 for wheat and 1 for jowar. This will ensure that no one in the country goes to sleep hungry. The next step will be to strengthen the public distribution system with people's participation. NREGA is now being implemented in every district providing 100 days' employment to a person seeking work. Right to education brought with Soniaji's initiative is a big achievement for the nation. All these positives of the UPA government need to be highlighted and that will be my priority.
Q: There is a perception that you have been given the party post with 2014 election in view when BJP national president Nitin Gadkari is likely to contest from Nagpur?
A: I don't think such equations are ever considered by the party. Moreover, Nagpur Lok Sabha seat is a Congress stronghold. Despite the RSS being headquartered here since 1925, the BJP could win the seat only once and that too because the candidate that time had a Congress background. People of this city are of secular mindset may be because Mahatma Gandhi was a major influence when he stayed in nearby Sewagram. So there is no reason for the party to worry about saving the seat. I am ready to face any challenge in the next election. I have always fought tough elections and won them.
Q: Will your new role be an advantage for the city you represent in Lok Sabha?
A: I certainly hope so. An important position in the party will help me in better access to the government and get things done. My priority for the city is to get the survey work for city's Metro rail network completed by 2014. Sridharan of New Delhi Metro project has identified Nagpur as feasible for metro. He has said in a recent report that all the cities with more than 20 lakh population should go in for metro rail for mass public transport. I have been pleading for last several years for decongestion of metropolitan cities like New Delhi and Mumbai by shifting headquarters of PSUs from there to cities like Nagpur.
I will also actively pursue with new railway minister Dinesh Trivedi on development of Ajni railway station as world class and on building a new railway overbridge at Ajni to replace the century old rickety one that exists. Mihan, of course, needs a lot of attention. Unless Shivangaon rehabilitation package with funds to back it is in place, the project cannot move ahead.
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