Herald: You have been fighting for workers rights for so long. What made you to join politics and contest election?
Suhas: I have been affiliated to CPI and AITUC for last nearly 15 years, working for poorer section of people, working class.
Though I have not been on political platform, both these associations are political outfits. After struggling for long, I realised that unless there is a political power, one cannot deliver to people. My fight is to give people justice from growing anti-people policies of the government, both state and centre. My struggle is against certain political class to protect interest of certain class.
Herald: What do you feel is the best option before the voters? The established parties or a third front?
Suhas: The current political situation is very complex. The hype created on Narendra Modi will burst soon, with BJP failing to win 272 seats. On the other hand, people are frustrated with Congress, who is mired in corruption, scams, family raj. People are looking at change and in such situation; the third front of regional parties will decide the fate of the country.
Herald: Will CPI be able to get benefit of Congress-BJP fight and people frustration towards them?
Suhas: We have always been fighting for issues that affect common men. Be it price rise, unemployment, mining, contract workers and other, we have been with people. CPI has support of sizeable population. Working class, mining dependent, youth, if all join hands and stand with CPI, then we will manage to surprise other candidates. I am confident that I will be a surprise this election.
Herald: Will the ongoing contentious issue of communalism and secularism will have any impact on elections?
Suhas: I don’t think so but in the long run the issue will have impact on society. All political parties try to get mileage of every issue during election and after election, the issues are under rap.
BJP is a communal party that believes in fanning such sentiments. They have support of all those right wing organizations that are involved in some or the other communal violence. Congress is also a communal party.
But that does not mean we will make it a political issue. Congress’ propaganda on communalism is dangerous for society in the long run.
