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What prompted you to strive to bring all factions together during the announcement of Narendra Modi as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate?
The announcement of Narendra Modi as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate for the next Lok Sabha elections was the unanimous choice of the party's central parliamentary board. Even Advaniji, who could not join the meeting, endorsed the decision subsequently.
Ours is a democratic party and all decisions are taken through consultations at all levels, after a consensus is reached. BJP is not a mother-and-son or a father-and-son party; it is not the proprietary concern of any particular individual where all decisions are taken by the party supremo. So, please don't be mistaken about the BJP's style of functioning.
As far as my role in this process is concerned, let me tell you all our central leaders were collectively involved in the consultation process and strove to arrive at an early decision.
What went wrong with the move to bring L K Advani on board during Modi's elevation? Did yours, as well as the efforts of other leaders, fail to convince him?
Nothing went wrong in our democratic process of selecting Narendrabhai as the party's prime ministerial candidate. Advaniji is very much on board. There was no need to convince anyone. He is our tallest leader; he is the BJP's friend, guide and philosopher. Above all, he is a great admirer of Narendrabhai.
Advani's opposition, followed by his subsequent praise of Modi, show all isn't well within the party. During your term as president, you advocated the 'party-first' principle, but it seems the ground reality is different.
Rest assured, all is very well in the BJP. It is a cohesive and disciplined party of dedicated workers. Nothing can go wrong in our party. Yes, you are right: All of us firmly believe in and advocate the 'party-first' principle. And, believe me, this is the ground reality as well.
Would Modi and the BJP be in a position to provide an effective alternative to the country?
Narendra Modi is the most popular national leader in today's politics. If you could feel the pulse of the society, you, too, would agree a Modi wave is sweeping across the length and breadth of the country. I am a hundred per cent confident under his stewardship, the NDA would secure absolute majority and form the next government. There is a groundswell of support for the NDA and its ranks are going to swell in the days to come.
The question is not of just providing an effective and credible alternative to the UPA (United Progressive Alliance), but of throwing this corrupt and inefficient government headed by Manmohan Singh out of power lock, stock and barrel. You will see most anti-Congress parties in different states, barring the Left parties of course, would join the NDA, one by one.
Critics allege the announcement of Modi as the BJP's PM candidate includes the hidden agendas of Hindutva and 'mandir vs masjid'.
In the BJP, we don't believe in the politics of hidden agenda. That may be the trait of those who indulge in vote-bank politics. Hindutva is a way of life; it preaches sarva dharma sadbhava, sarve bhavantu sukhinah and sarve santu niramaya. The Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is a matter of faith for millions of Hindus, and we in the BJP strongly believe a Bhavya Ram Mandir should be constructed in Ayodhya. But it is not a political issue. So, there is no hidden agenda. Our agenda for governance will be an open book. Please wait for our election manifesto and our vision document.
How would the party instil confidence among the minorities, which continue to be the deciding factor in certain states and constituencies?
Let me ask you one thing: What has the Congress done for minorities since Independence? Congress has been in power for about 60 years. It has used these groups as a vote bank, but done nothing to improve their socio-economic conditions.
The BJP has never treated the minorities as a vote bank. Just compare the track record of the BJP-led NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee with that of the UPA-I and UPA-II regimes, in terms of giving the minorities their due.
All the BJP-run state governments, too, have excellent track records of improving the living conditions of minorities. I think we should leave the decision to the members of the minority community; they are the best judge. I am confident they will understand the Congress's game plan of exploiting them. The minorities will certainly vote for the BJP-led NDA, as a large number of them did in the last Gujarat assembly elections.
How well are you prepared to contest from your home city of Nagpur? Would the Purti episode affect your electoral chances?
No doubt, I am inclined to contest the next Lok Sabha election from Nagpur. But the final decision would be taken by the party at the appropriate time. In the BJP, decisions are taken by the party, not individuals. The Purti Group and all the good work done by it for the betterment of the people in the Vidarbha region would be an asset for the BJP.
