Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who steered the BJP’s campaign in Bihar, has said that the victory has given fresh energy for the BJP to take the electoral battles in near future, especially in West Bengal. Excerpts:
This is the win of the people of Bihar who want to walk to the future; want to see development. They have accepted and honoured the credibility of the NDA in the state in 20 years and the Central government’s 11 years, too. They have reposed trust and faith in the NDA. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s philosophy on development and progress has also been accepted by the people.
Who do you credit the victory for?
The credit goes to the people of Bihar.
You have always been given the responsibility of difficult states by the party, but you have succeeded in making the party win…
There is no magic in democracy — it’s the belief and faith of the people. Winning their trust, confidence is the primary job of a political activist. The NDA was the fit candidate to win the trust of voters in Bihar.
What does this mean for the BJP at the Centre?
This victory will give an impetus to the BJP…making it more confident. Prime Minister Modi has assigned the responsibility of winning the confidence of the people to us (leaders of the NDA) in West Bengal, too. We have to do the same in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Assam, in all the states going to polls. We have to roll up our sleeves, work hard in all these states. This will be a major boost for the party.
The number shows that the BJP can form a government with smaller allies excluding the JD(U)…
The NDA is intact, the NDA is going to form the government. Whatever is the number (of the seats), NDA will be together.
Will Nitish Kumar be the chief minister? Will there be changes in the new government? The deputy chief ministers remain the same?
The NDA will form the government. Nitish Kumar is the tallest leader in Bihar. Deciding ministers will be the job of the new government… the chief minister will decide.
Do you think that the BJP should have had a CM candidate?
Let’s not create confusion. It is clear that the victory is of the NDA. The PM has made it clear that the victory is of the NDA and that he would support the development of Bihar. The election was fought under the Modi-Nitish pair. The BJP has no doubts over it, there is clarity.
Now that Chirag Paswan’s party won 19 of the 29 seats, would you ask him to join the government there?
It’s an issue that will come up in the discussions. Every NDA partner has the right to be part of the government. We have fought the elections together and we will form the government.
Do you think the entry of Prashant Kishor-led Jan Suraaj has helped the BJP and the NDA?
The fight was between the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan. People of Bihar have chosen the NDA and rejected Mahagatbandhan. There was no other factor in this election.
According to you, what is the biggest challenge before your government? Has joblessness come up as an issue during the campaign?
We have our credibility, we have our track record and we have our plan. Development of Bihar in the coming years is our top priority.