Will travel across India to strengthen BJP: Nagaraja

Rajya Sabha MP Prof. M. Nagaraja has been appointed one of the 13 national vice-presidents of the BJP in the new team announced by party presi dent Nitin Nabin. His elevation has brought added prominence to Karnataka, particularly to the party’s representation from the OBC community.Following his appointment, Nagaraja spoke exclusively to News Trail about his new responsibility, his surprise at the elevation and his plans to strengthen the party or ganisation, particularly in South India. News Trail: What was your first reaction when you NT INTERVIEW learnt about the new re sponsibility entrusted to you?

M. Nagaraja: I am happy that the party has entrusted me with this new responsibility. I see it as an honour not just for me, but for the entire party cadre in Karnataka. The party has given an opportunity to a worker who comes from the OBC community, and I am grateful for the confidence it has reposed in me. I have always considered myself a party worker, and I will do my best to fulfil this responsibility and strengthen the organisation. News Trail: Did you expect this elevation? M. Nagaraja: Not at all. I was actually surprised.

I have been in Delhi for the last 13 days attending the Parliament session and had no indication that I would be given this responsibility. When I came to know about it, I felt humbled. It is a significant responsibility, and I will approach it with sincerity. News Trail: Does your elevation reinforce the BJP’s claim that it is a ‘party with a difference’? M. Nagaraja: Absolutely. The BJP recognises the contribution of its workers, particularly those who have worked at the grassroots level. The party has a cul- ture of acknowledging the efforts of those who dedicate themselves to party building and nation building.

In many other political parties, important positions are often associated with family or dynastic considerations. The BJP is different in that respect. Here, an ordinary party worker can rise through the organisation based on his or her contribution. I believe my own journey reflects that. News Trail: Why do you think the party chose you for this responsibility? M. Nagaraja: I have been a dedicated party worker for a long time. My roots are in the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), and I have worked in the organisation at different levels.

I have served the party in various capacities and have always tried to deliver whenever the organisation entrusted me with a responsibility. Perhaps my experience in the organisation and my work over the years were among the factors that the party considered. At the same time, the fact that an OBC leader has been given this responsibility is also significant. It reflects the BJP’s emphasis on tak ing every section of society along with it. The principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas is about ensuring everyone’s participation in the country’s development.

The party needs the participation of every community, and we will work towards bringing more people into the organisation. Karnataka. I am one among them. Whatever position I hold is because of the or ganisation and the opportunities it has given me. munities in the BJP. I want to reach out to more OBC leaders, workers and young people and bring them into the party fold. The objective is to ensure that every section of society feels that it has a role in the organisa tion and in the nation’s de velopment. News Trail: What will be your priorities as you take up this new responsibility?

M. Nagaraja: My first priority will be to strengthen the party organisation further. Elections will come and go; they are part of the democratic process. But our larger responsibility is to build a strong organisation that can contribute to the country’s development over the long term. I will travel across the country, meet our workers and understand the strengths and challenges of the organisation in different regions. I particularly want to work towards strengthening the party in the southern States.

Another important focus will be increasing the participation of OBC com News Trail: What message would you like to give BJP workers in Karnataka following your appointment? M. Nagaraja: I would like to tell them that this responsibility is a recognition of the strength and dedication of the party’s grassroots workers in I will remain accessible to our workers and will work with them to strengthen the party. This is not an individual responsibility; it is a collective responsibility. I look forward to working with everyone and taking the organisation forward