Union HRD minister and BJP’s Bihar election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan believes that people’s aspirations and their trust will ensure a decisive victory for the alliance in Bihar Assembly Elections.
"Bihar polls are, like every election, a tough challenge for NDA. Yet, people’s aspirations and their trust will ensure a decisive victory for the alliance," Pradhan told TOI’s Jai Narain Pandey.
On being made BJP's election in-charge in Bihar and about his chemistry with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Pradhan said, "Nitishji is a comfortable and mature player in NDA. JDU has been with us since the Samata Party days in 1996. He is a tested ally. So, there's no question of 'I' and 'anybody'. We have been contesting elections with Ram Vilas ji's party since 2014 and with Manjhi ji since 2015."
He also highlighted that NDA's biggest strength is trust, the faith of the people of Bihar in it and in its unity.
Reaffirming NDA's presence in Bihar, Pradhan shed some light on the upcoming assembly polls, "There is a tight fight against the opposition 'lathbandhan'. But people's trust in NDA to deliver will ensure a decisive victory." As he hailed the alliance's performance in the state, he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already addressed four of the 14 planned rallies. "CM Nitish Kumar, Amit bhai, Nadda ji, Yogi ji, Manjhi ji, Chirag and Upendra Kushwaha ji are travelling hundreds of kilometres daily despite heavy rain," he said.
Debunking the rumours and opposition's claims on PM Modi stopping short of declaring Nitish as the next CM, Pradhan said, "PM Modi said in the first meeting at Samastipur that Nitish is our face in Bihar. Amit bhai and Nadda ji have said the same. There is complete consensus within NDA on Nitish ji. There is no vacancy."
"Nitish is our mascot in Bihar," Pradhan said. "Ours is a political and social alliance endorsed by the people of Bihar."
Since Nitish Kumar has long been Bihar's CM. When asked if people discussing change, NDA's election in-charge said, "Anti-incumbency does not exist in Bihar. People want progress but also know who can deliver - not those involved in land-for-jobs scams. There is pro-incumbency."
He also highlighted NDA's initiatives towards the development of Bihar. "There has been a paradigm shift in Bihar. A five-star hotel has opened in Purnia and flights are landing regularly at Darbhanga airport. This is aspirational Bihar," he said.
Responding to a question about Rahul Gandhi's recent remarks, Pradhan tells TOI, "It's natural for him to oppose us, but the language he uses for the PM is unbecoming of the leader of the opposition. It may be in his family culture, but by abusing the PM, he insults the country. He comes to Bihar and abuses Chhath and Bihar."
Pradhan believes that NDA's good governance, trust and law and order will be the clincher for the alliance. "If girls feel safe moving around at night in Patna, it's a big assurance on law and order. Bihar is now at take-off stage," he said.
As per the election in-charge, NDA first finalized seat-sharing first, then its candidates. "Every partner sacrificed some seats. Winnability was our key factor. We are moving with a united face, while the rival camp is tense," Pradhan said.
On INDIA bloc keeping Lalu away from the campaign, Pradhan said, "I can't comment on their strategy. His baggage is too big - the fodder scam, the land-for-jobs scam. The people of Bihar have rejected Lalu ji & co for 20 years."
(With inputs from TOI)
"Bihar polls are, like every election, a tough challenge for NDA. Yet, people’s aspirations and their trust will ensure a decisive victory for the alliance," Pradhan told TOI’s Jai Narain Pandey.
On being made BJP's election in-charge in Bihar and about his chemistry with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Pradhan said, "Nitishji is a comfortable and mature player in NDA. JDU has been with us since the Samata Party days in 1996. He is a tested ally. So, there's no question of 'I' and 'anybody'. We have been contesting elections with Ram Vilas ji's party since 2014 and with Manjhi ji since 2015."
He also highlighted that NDA's biggest strength is trust, the faith of the people of Bihar in it and in its unity.
Reaffirming NDA's presence in Bihar, Pradhan shed some light on the upcoming assembly polls, "There is a tight fight against the opposition 'lathbandhan'. But people's trust in NDA to deliver will ensure a decisive victory." As he hailed the alliance's performance in the state, he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already addressed four of the 14 planned rallies. "CM Nitish Kumar, Amit bhai, Nadda ji, Yogi ji, Manjhi ji, Chirag and Upendra Kushwaha ji are travelling hundreds of kilometres daily despite heavy rain," he said.
Debunking the rumours and opposition's claims on PM Modi stopping short of declaring Nitish as the next CM, Pradhan said, "PM Modi said in the first meeting at Samastipur that Nitish is our face in Bihar. Amit bhai and Nadda ji have said the same. There is complete consensus within NDA on Nitish ji. There is no vacancy."
"Nitish is our mascot in Bihar," Pradhan said. "Ours is a political and social alliance endorsed by the people of Bihar."
Since Nitish Kumar has long been Bihar's CM. When asked if people discussing change, NDA's election in-charge said, "Anti-incumbency does not exist in Bihar. People want progress but also know who can deliver - not those involved in land-for-jobs scams. There is pro-incumbency."
He also highlighted NDA's initiatives towards the development of Bihar. "There has been a paradigm shift in Bihar. A five-star hotel has opened in Purnia and flights are landing regularly at Darbhanga airport. This is aspirational Bihar," he said.
Responding to a question about Rahul Gandhi's recent remarks, Pradhan tells TOI, "It's natural for him to oppose us, but the language he uses for the PM is unbecoming of the leader of the opposition. It may be in his family culture, but by abusing the PM, he insults the country. He comes to Bihar and abuses Chhath and Bihar."
Pradhan believes that NDA's good governance, trust and law and order will be the clincher for the alliance. "If girls feel safe moving around at night in Patna, it's a big assurance on law and order. Bihar is now at take-off stage," he said.
As per the election in-charge, NDA first finalized seat-sharing first, then its candidates. "Every partner sacrificed some seats. Winnability was our key factor. We are moving with a united face, while the rival camp is tense," Pradhan said.
On INDIA bloc keeping Lalu away from the campaign, Pradhan said, "I can't comment on their strategy. His baggage is too big - the fodder scam, the land-for-jobs scam. The people of Bihar have rejected Lalu ji & co for 20 years."
(With inputs from TOI)
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