Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ashwini Choubey on Saturday said his party would emerge victorious in the Bihar assembly elections to be held later this year under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah.
"It is evident that the issue of Bihar was discussed, as elections are round the corner. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi and under the direction of BJP president Amit Shah, the BJP will fight the elections and will emerge victorious in 181 seats," Choubey told ANI.
On Friday, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said the BJP would never gain power in the state despite chalking out several strategies to do so.
Kumar's comments came after Minister of State for Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar had launched a frontal attack on the ruling Janata Dal (United) in Bihar and expressed hope that the people of the state would give the BJP another chance.
"As soon as JD (U) broke the alliance with the BJP, 'jungle raaj' returned in Bihar. This is jungle raaj two. We will work very hard and he (Amit Shah) was sure that the people of Bihar will give another chance to the BJP," said Javadekar.
The BJP, which suffered a humiliating defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections, is putting great emphasis on its preparedness in Bihar.
The party, which faces a formidable opponent in the Nitish Kumar-Lalu Yadav-Congress combine, enjoys the support of Ram Vilas Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) in Bihar.
Eyeing big gains in Bihar where it has so far been a minor player, the party may also reach out to Dalit leader and former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi to bolster its chances in the state.
The political battle in Bihar has a personal element for Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the JD (U) had snapped ties with the BJP over his selection as the prime ministerial candidate for the Lok Sabha polls last year.
The BJP, which is aiming to wrest power on its own for the first time ever in Bihar, had along with its allies won 31 out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state last year.
