Former BJP MP Anna Joshi’s wife defends his decision to join NCP

The BJP received a severe jolt yesterday when its former MP Anna Joshi left the party after being denied a ticket to contest the Assembly polls

Former BJP MP Anna Joshi's wife defends his decision to join NCP

The BJP received a severe jolt yesterday when its former MP Anna Joshi left the party after being denied a ticket to contest the Assembly polls. The BJP veteran will now contest the Assembly election from Pune on an NCP ticket. Joshi, who spent 40 years in the BJP, has been an MLA three times, a four-time corporator and a former MP. The BJP has labelled him as a traitor, but his wife Urmila Joshi says it's the other way round. Excerpts

Joshi's identity as a veteran politician was because of the BJP. Do you think he made the right
decision?
Initially, I was apprehensive. Taking such a decision was not easy considering the number of years he has spent in the BJP. But when my husband explained me the reasons behind his decision, I was convinced he is doing the right thing.

Was it right to quit because he was denied a ticket?
That is not the reason for his decision. My husband felt completely sidelined in the BJP for the past 15 years. He is a hardworker, but the party did not want him to work for the people. If his sole motto was power, then he would not have waited for so long. The denial of the Assembly ticket was the last straw.

The perception in the BJP is that he is a rank opportunist who betrayed the party and stabbed voters who elected him only because he was in the BJP.
My husband has not betrayed the party. It is the other way round. If BJP made him an MLA and MP, then he too has given a lot to the party by nurturing the constituency and working for the people. The allegation that my husband stabbed voters behind their back is baseless. People have been voting for him not just because he was in the BJP, but also because of their love, affection and gratitude towards him and his work.

BJP is known for its Hindutva agenda, while NCP is a secular party. Will people will accept him in the new role?
Why not? People want politicians who work for them. And he has been doing that all his life.

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