INTERVIEW| The man who replaces Modi as Baroda candidate after 10 years

| Updated: 07 May, 2024 10:02 pm IST

Rohan Dua interviews Dr. Hemang Joshi in Vadodara.

VADODARA: One of the crucial seats of Gujarat, constituency of Vadodara which once elected PM Narendra Modi, is going to witness the polls on Tuesday, May 7. It’s worth noting that earlier the party had declared Ranjanben Bhatt as the candidate for the Vadodara seat for the third time. However, later she was replaced with Dr. Hemang Joshi as she withdrew.

In an interview with The New Indian, Executive Editor Rohan Dua, the young leader who is a Physiotherapist and an ABVP leader, speaks about his experience of nomination from the same seat as PM Modi and thanked the democracy of India, which can make anyone a Member of Parliament.

EXCERPTS:

Rohan Dua: You have actually indirectly replaced Narendra Modi, who won from the same constituency in 2014. How proud do you feel today to be in the shoes of Narendra Modi and a young candidate?

Joshi: I believe that not only in the nation but in the world, no one can replace our honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The work that he has done, the promises that he has kept, it is the result of that India is looking forward to ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’, and I firmly believe that Vadodara is the land of our PM Narendra Modi, and the people of Vadodara will definitely vote for the lotus.

Rohan: There was once a time when PM Modi was elected from two constituencies, once Banaras and the other Vadodara. Do you think that if they elect you this time, you will also get a place in their cabinet?

Joshi: We are Karyakartas, and we do not look forward to all those responsibilities. Whatever work is assigned to us by the party, whether it is booth-level work, Shakti Kendra incharge, distributing leaflets, or any work given in the cabinet, all the work is the same, all Karyakartas are the same.

Rohan: There was once a time when the Vadodara king in the 1960s fought on the Congress ticket. What difference do you feel as a doctor, and how proud do you feel that once a king used to fight for that ticket, now it’s you?

Joshi: It is the culture of Vadodara; it is the essence of democracy in India that anyone in the nation can become a Member of Parliament. This is the beauty of our nation, so I believe it’s not a matter of pride.

Rohan: So, the king is supporting you?

Joshi: I just met our honorable Maharaja and Rajmata, and they have blessed me with their wishes. Also, I will keep meeting them, taking suggestions for the betterment of the city.

Rohan: Many cricketers came out from Vadodara, be it Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Nayan Mongia, Anshuman Gaikwad, and from Bharuch, Munav Patel. Do you feel this is the land of cricketers, and cricketers should come in your support and campaign for you?

Joshi: We are not wooing any celebrity for our campaign; our Karyakartas are our celebrities, and they are the ambassadors of the work that we do.

Rohan: But Yusuf Pathan went to TMC even being from Vadodara.

Joshi: Rahul Gandhi is also going to several places; he is confused; it’s his nature.

Rohan: Do you feel proud that the land of Vadodara produced this many cricketers?

Joshi: Not only cricketers, but the land of Vadodara is also the homeland of many traditional games like kushti, malkhamb. You can visit and make a small documentary on how historically Vadodara is famous for sports.

Rohan: Did you meet Modi and Amit Shah?

Joshi: Yes, I met them twice.