Jaya Prada says that she is not the main cause for the strife but is one of the causes.
The electoral battle is perhaps the most critical in the hub of India's politics, Uttar Pradesh. All kinds of stories and rumours are doing the rounds in this battleground. The latest rumours are that there is a huge split within the Samajwadi Party. The war within the SP began with the allotment of the Rampur Lok Sabha seat to Jaya Prada.
Party General Secretary Amar Singh is backing Jaya Prada while the local leader Azam Khan - the Muslim face of SP - is against her. Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav doesn't want to alienate Azam Khan especially as he has already risked the minority vote by taking in former BJP leader Kalyan Singh, under whose chief ministership the Babri Masjid was demolished. As one of the few Muslim leaders in the SP, Azam Khan's dissent could seriously hurt the party's secular image among voters.
CNN-IBN's National Bureau Chief Bhupendra Chaubey spoke to Jaya Prada. Read on...
Bhupendra Chaubey: You are the root cause of the split within the party. Is this true?
Jaya Prada: I am not the the main cause for division in Samajwadi Party ranks but I admit I am one of the causes. My elder brother Azam Khan can explain the causes better. In my knowledge I have given all the respect to Azam Khan, but I feel that through the party, I could have done a lot of development in Rampur.
Bhupendra Chaubey: Why do you think he is so opposed to you? It's almost become like an open fight with Amar Singh threatening to leave the party if your candidature is rejected. This doesn't bode well for the SP does it?
Jaya Prada: Yes, it is very unfortunate, and the thing is that Azam Khan brought me to Rampur. It was Amar Singh who brought me into the Samajwadi Party. I don't know why he getting annoyed with me and why there is so much anguish.
Bhupendra Chaubey: There are many who now feel that your popularity has grown in Rampur. Could that be one of the reasons?
Jaya Prada: I respect this. People love me, they give me unconditional love, they treat me like their own daughter and sister. This is like a lifetime achievement in my life because in a very short time, people have felt that I belong to them. The people of Rampur and the people of India love me and they don't want me to fight from anywhere else except Rampur. And my heart says that I should fight from Rampur because I love the people there too.
Bhupendra Chaubey: Why have you been quoted in the local media as saying that you have been humiliated. Who has humiliated you?
Jaya Prada: I always respect elders. Even if they abuse me, I never retaliate.
Bhupendra Chaubey: Who is abusing and humiliating you?
Jaya Prada: In Rampur culture, ladies are respected a lot. But somewhere, officially Azam Khan has used unparliamentary language for me in front of his chellas (followers). I cannot even use those words before the media. He said some wrong words and he abused. He many not be saying it directly but his chellas were. Wherever I go, they wave black flags there. It was very disturbing. One thing that I want to say is 'Live and let live'. I want to fight the elections in peace. I have to fight with the Congress, BJP and the BSP and an internal battle is not a good thing.
Bhupendra Chaubey: Will you continue to fight Rampur and continue to be a part of SP from UP or are you looking at a future outside the SP and the state?
Jaya Prada: Definitely not. Hundred per cent I am contesting from Rampur because my leader Mulayam Singh Yadav announced my candidature from there officially.
Bhupendra Chaubey: So you are willing to forgive and forget what Azam Khan has said?
Jaya Prada: He is my elder brother and I will listen to his abuses if I have to.
