Shatrughan Sinha: “My Niece & My Son Are The Future Of Politics”

Your son Luv  lost  the   the Bihar Assembly elections?

Regardless  of the   outcome  of the election, I’m proud  of my son.It was  his decision to  contest  the elections. I had nothing to do with it. And now that he has taken the  plunge, he has shown maturity and sensibleness.

If  Luv continues to pursue   a career  in  politics would  you be  guiding him  in his political  career?

I am always  there  for all my three children. Whenever  Luv  needs  my  guidance he  just needs to ask. Otherwise  I  don’t interfere  with  my children’s life and career.Even with  my daughter Sonakshi,I don’t offer  unsolicited  advice. If she asks my opinion on  a particular  project I give it.

Your  niece  in the US  works closely with  Ms Kamala Harris?

Yes, Preeta she  is my elder brother  Dr Lakhan Sinha’s daughter. I’m as proud of  Preeta as I am  of my own  daughter Sonakshi. Both have made it on their own without seeking their parents’ help. Preeta worked  with  Ms Kamala Harris during the American elections. I am so happy  to say that she was  a small part  of  Ms Harris’s success. I feel more young people  should come  forward  to join politics. Lalooji’s son  Tejashwi, Ram Vilas Pawanji’s son  Chirag ,my son Luv and my  niece Preeta are  the  future  of politics.

You mean  senior politicians  should retire?

I am not saying that  at all.But the voice of wisdom and experience  are  invaluable to  politics. I  always sought the  guidance  of my seniors  ,my guru and mentor  Shri L K Advaniji and Shri AtalBihari Vajpayeeji. Likewise I expect the  young brigade  to  make use of  the wisdom they have  around them. With  josh they also need hosh.

You have been an ardent supporter of Lalu Yadav. His son  Tejashwi could  come to   power.The  people of  Bihar felt   his party’s return to power meant  the  return  of  Jungle Raj in Bihar 15 years ago when crime rates were  hitting the  roof in Bihar?

Firstly I think the crime rates  were  exaggerated. I am  not saying all was well  during Laluji’s  regime.  But  this is  a  new era. New blood taking over. They’ve zero tolerance  for crime. I would also  like  to ask the  people of  Bihar one thing: if there  was  Jungle Raj during Lalu  Raj, what did Nitish Kumarji do for Bihar  after  Laluji? The people  of  the State  brought him  into  power  with great expectations. Instead  of an attitude  of gratitude  Nitish Kumar  flaunted an  arrogance  of  power that has  brought Bihar to the brink of anarchy.The people of Bihar are very angry and hurt. If  the  people  of Bihar have voted  Nitish Kumar back to power he  must respect the mandate and  rectify  all  the  errors.

Do you feel Tejashwi who is  24 and inexperienced  could  have   run Bihar in Nitish Kumar’splace?

Some of the greatest  achievers  of  the world today are in their 20s. Age has nothing to do with  capability.Maybe it will be Tejashwi