New Delhi, May 12 – The last lap of Elections 2014 remains to be run today but for Bharatiya Janata Party president Rajnath Singh, a saffron victory is but a formality now. Singh was the epitome of cool as he told Mail Today: “The NDA will cross the magic figure of 272 easily.”
“We know that we’re forming the government. but numbers are numbers. We’re only waiting for the numbers and it will be clear by 1 pm on May 16,” Singh told Mail Today in an exclusive interview while on the road between Kanpur and Lucknow on Sunday evening.
The BJP president was in New Delhi on Sunday morning for a significant meeting with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) top leadership minus chief Mohan Bhagwat. Singh later left the Capital for Uttar Pradesh before the final phase of polling on Monday, organisational responsibilities uppermost on his mind.
Asked about the total number of seats the BJP plus its NDA partners would get, Singh was quick to respond: “We will get between 275 and 300, and I am sure that BJP along with its NDA partners will cross the magic figure (272) very easily. There is no doubt in our mind.”
‘The doors are open’
Singh kept from addressing questions on the speculation about West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee as well as Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati being ‘softer’ towards the BJP president rather than its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.
Asked about what the NDA would do if it needs more help than it already has, Singh said: “Frankly, we have not spoken yet on alliance. but in the national interest, the doors are open to anybody who wants to join us and strengthen NDA.”
Singh’s Sunday meeting with the RSS leadership generated more buzz in BJP circles that he had met the saffron ideologues to ‘garner support for the next government and also to strengthen Modi’s PM candidature’. Singh dismissed the speculation as “rumours”.
“I had just gone there to thank the RSS leadership and the organisation as a whole for what they did (for the BJP) in the elections. It is a fact that this is the first time ever that the RSS has come out so openly on the political front and supported the BJP in its election campaign and polling process.
main unhe sirf abhar vyakt karne gaya tha (I had just gone to express gratitude). Nothing else should be read into the meet.” On Modi as India’s next PM, the BJP chief was categorical and clear: “There should be no doubt in the minds of people about who is becoming the next prime minister.
both the people of this country and our NDA have decided on that. And there is no doubt from the RSS either on Modi as they have endorsed his candidature. All this talk is being raised by the Opposition to confuse voters. But now we have moved much ahead on that issue. We are only waiting for May 16.”
Target May 16
It is also learnt that the RSS leadership, too, is happy with the way polls have progressed so far, and that they believe that the BJP will form the next government without any roadblock. The Sunday meeting between Singh and RSS joint general secretaries Dattatreya Hosabale and Krishan Gopal lasted about two hours.
Asked about Modi’s expected margin of victory in Varanasi, Singh said: “Going by the unprecedented crowd that gathered in the BJP’s support, I doubt the opponents will be able to save their deposits against Narendrabhai.” Singh refused comment on the next Cabinet, saying, “Our first target is May 16 and the numbers, the rest will happen automatically.”
-INDIA TODAY
