"If Allies Are Happy, It's Because Of PM Modi": Ram Madhav To NDTV

The BJP will win a majority and form a government on its own because of massive support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the party's top leader Ram Madhav said today. "We won't need anyone to form the next government, we are confident. There is a great mahaul (atmosphere) for Modi, and the BJP will benefit. If our allies are happy, then they should remember that the reason is Modiji," the BJP general secretary told NDTV in an interview.

The BJP, he said, would win a bigger majority than last time. "We won't need anyone to form the government, although PM Modi will take everyone along," he said, a day after his comments to Bloomberg were interpreted as an indication that the party was nervous about its numbers and was prepping for greater dependence on allies.

Ram Madhav also dismissed attempts by Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao or KCR to form a federal front without the BJP or Congress. "Many leaders like the Chief Minister of Telangana (KCR), Andhra (Chandrababu Naidu) dream of becoming kingmaker. When we have king, where is the need for a kingmaker," the BJP leader said.

According to him, the BJP would hold its seats in the north, apart from upping its score in states like Bengal, Odisha and in the northeast. "PM Modi has immense support in these states and we have no doubt that we will get stunning results from here. We will also win 18 of the 25 seats in the northeast," he said.

Bloomberg had quoted Ram Madhav as saying: "If we get 271 seats on our own, we will be very happy." He was also quoted as telling the news website: "With NDA we will have a comfortable majority".

Speaking to NDTV today, Ram Madhav also dismissed criticism of PM Modi's campaign, which, opposition parties allege, has been focused overtly on nationalism and national security linked to the Pulwama terror attack and India's response with air strikes in Pakistan's Balakot.

"Mr Modi spoke about nationalism, national security for only five minutes during his speeches. The rest of his political speeches were on development projects," the BJP general secretary insisted.

"We are saying vote for us because we have strengthened the nation's security. Otherwise our Election Commission is very independent, they would have said. Our main issue is our five-year report card and Modi-ji's personality," Ram Madhav said.