BJP to project good governance, development in polls

Q&A/Rajendrasinh Rana

Rajendrasinh Rana, president of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) Gujarat unit, is now at the helm of the party's electioneering in the state.

A three-time MP from the Bhavnagar constituency, Rana is busy leading the party's campaign for the Lok Sabha polls. Talking to Business Standard on Thursday, the third-day of the deputy prime minister L K Advani's 'Bharat Uday Yatra,'.

Rana said the state BJP unit will project the government's good governance and development activities during the campaign, which is expected to be officially kicked off this week.
Excerpts:

With the general elections round the corner and Congress trying its best to woo the voters, how is BJP planning to take on the Opposition?

We are confident of doing much better in this election in comparison to the last polls when we were defeated in five seats by Congress. With the 'feel good' factor around and the state and the central governments undertaking many developmental activities, we will definitely be able to wrest more seats from Congress this time. Congress is not seen anywhere. Not even in public mind.

What will be your agenda for the campaign?

Our campaign in Gujarat will be based on three main points "" good governance by the Narendra Modi government in Gujarat and the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government at the Centre, result-oriented governance and developmental activities, especially in the infrastructure segment.

We hope that all the 26 BJP candidates in the state will be able to garner maximum number of votes using these three issues. The effect of good governance is visible everywhere in Gujarat, mainly in the road and port sectors.

Though you always remained at the helm of affairs of your party and were elected to the parliament three times in a row from the same constituency, why didn't you get a Cabinet berth?

In an organised party like BJP, individuals do not take decisions for themselves. The party decides whether to induct someone into the Cabinet or keep that person in charge of the party affairs. I always obey the party leadership's decision. If the leadership decides to shift me to the ministry, I will obey that too.

In spite of the cold war between the former chief minister Keshubhai Patel and the chief minister Narendra Modi, BJP in Gujarat has remained united, especially when compared to Congress. What is the secret?

BJP in Gujarat has always been united. It is a cadre party where the workers obey the leadership. In our party system, internal differences are minimal. This makes our party different from Congress. Our workers are committed to the party. That is why BJP is strong in Gujarat.

Though the Modi government succeeded in making a difference in the infrastructure sector, the information technology sector in Gujarat is yet to see more investments. As an MP what have you done to promote this sector in the state?

As an MP and party leader, I have taken up this issue at various levels. I also have discussed launching various schemes to promote investment in the sector. We are considering an action plan in this regard.

We see a lot of opportunities for IT companies in Gujarat. We initiated several measures to make the state the 'Petro Capital ' of India. Similar measures may be taken for the IT sector also.