Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party and Samajwadi Party are the major contenders for the elections that should take place by January 2017.
To talk in-depth about upcoming UP elections, ABP Live's Anurag Kumar has an exclusive conversation with BJP MLA (Noida), Vimla Batham.
Q1) How do you see the prospects of BJP in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh state elections?
Ms Batham: BJP has very bright chances. UP was believed to be the stronghold of BSP and SP but now that's history. Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav (present CM) used to play the game of corruption one by one. But this time, people want to give a chance to BJP.
Q2) Do you think that the CM candidature of Sheila Dikshit (of Congress) will affect BJP in the state?
Ms Batham: No. When given the fact that she was quite a big leader in Delhi, she failed to do any karisma in the last election there (Delhi) than her chances of doing something special in UP is impossible. Congress stands neither any chance in UP nor in the country.
Q3) Are you ready to join hands with BSP in the case of hung assembly?
Ms Batham: There is no chance of hung assembly in upcoming Uttar Pradesh election. Joining hands with Mayawati is unthinkable. She is not trustworthy as she never keeps her promises; it is her habit. She can do anything for her profit.
But still, if a situation like hung assembly arises, we will decide at that time.
Q4) Why PM Narendra Modi took so much time in commenting on Mohammad Akhlaq (Dadri) case in UP?
Ms Batham: There was no need of comment in Akhlaq case by the PM given it was a state matter. There was no point of PM talking about it. Our PM never interferes in work of any CM or state.
Q5) People are saying that Narendra Modi government is anti-middle class. Your comments.
Ms Batham: This is totally wrong. It is being propagated by opposition party leaders without any basis. Our government is doing those things which were not even thought earlier. The biggest examples are schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana.
Had anyone conceptualized this?
Rahul Gandhi says that BJP government is that of suit-boot, have you ever seen anyone wearing that in our government? Once Modiji wore it and that too he donated.
Q6) Tell us something about your DND flyway agitation. Why you never talked again about it?
Ms Batham: DND flyway must be toll-free. Commuters have to pay Rs 56 for up and down between Delhi and Noida. Plus, one has to stand in long queue. We protest against this on April 8, 2015. And we will do protest again in near future.
A handful of people has created trouble for all. Now we are searching a legal way to solve this DND issue.
They have also built an illegal building on the irrigation department land.
We have also kept a demand for getting the audit done of DND by CAG.
Q7) Which are the areas where BJP will focus if it comes to power?
Ms Batham: For us, every area is important. Here the biggest challenge is law and order. The state where there is a sorry state of law and order, no development can take place there.
Q8) Which are the areas where BJP should focus before elections in order to win the same?
Ms Batham: In my agenda, there is everything and law and order is on the top. If we will win, in my constituency at least, there will be fearless and developed society (Bhai mukta and vikas yukata samaj).
Q9) How will BJP control crime in UP?
Ms Batham: Controlling crime is not a difficult task if your intentions are genuine. Presently there is no will to control crime. I have raised this matter so many times in Vidhan Sabha but all in vain. The present government is not ready to put pressure on its party workers.
Q10) What do you want to say about the working of Mr Modi since he has assumed office?
Ms Batham: See, when PM Mr Modi took over the reign from Congress there were so many flaws in our country and for rectifying them we need time. I know that our government had said that they will make everything right in a small span of time but when we walk step by step, it takes some time. And very soon by 2019, you will see a totally changed map of India.
Q11) If you are given a chance to suggest something to Mr Modi, what will be that advice?
Ms Batham: Our PM needs no advice, he is very intelligent.
Q12) How you will rate the till now the performance of Mr Modi out of 10?
Ms Batham: Nine.
Q13) Are you satisfied with your role as an MLA or want to play a bigger role in the party?
Ms Batham: If the party will give me a chance, I will definitely fight election (for MP) and play whatever the role I will be given.
Presently, I'm concentrating on my work in my area. I don't believe in talking but doing work. I believe politics is a social work, it's only that when you enter politics you get a bit more power than a social worker.
Vimla Batham is an Indian politician and a member of the 16th Legislative Assembly of India. She holds double Master of Arts degrees. She was elected in the by-election when Mahesh Sharma vacated the seat after winning the 15th Lok Sabha elections.