'Delhi election won't be a cakewalk for any party'

The Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party wants to keep intact the party’s record -- winning every election since the Lok Sabha contest in May last year.

Despite surveys showing a swing in favour of the Aam Aadmi Party, the Delhi BJP leadership believes that they can prove the pollsters wrong. 

As the campaigning for the 70-seat Delhi assembly came to an end on Thursday, Rediff.com contributor Upasna Pandey spoke to Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay and Union Science and Technology & Earth Sciences Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan about the party’s prospects.

Dr Harsh Vardhan:

Many surveys have predicted a close fight between the BJP and AAP. What is your view?

I don’t think there is any doubt that it will be a hands-down victory for the BJP and we will form the government, I do not think we are going by survey predictions. We are quite confident of our success.

Do you see a close contest on seats with AAP?

Not at all. I am confident that we will win with good numbers.

Much has been said about the entry of Kiran Bedi as BJP’s chief minister candidate. How do you see this as a factor in influencing the voters?

In our party, individuals don’t make much of a difference. It is the party which is fighting the election. So I don’t think it will affect our voters in any adverse way.

What will be BJP’s plan of action in case no party gets a clear majority?

We are not thinking about this at all right now; it is a hypothetical question. We are winning this election with a clear majority.

What about fence-sitter voters who switch between parties just prior to the voting date?

I think we focus equally on all voters. There is no specific focus on fence-sitter voters. We will be reaching out to all.

How are you reaching out to the lower strata voters, who are seen to have moved in favour of AAP?

The BJP has always focused on the lower strata voters and we will continue to do that. It is not something specific we will do just before the voting day.

What did the BJP learn from the election campaign in Delhi this time?

We have seen many many elections and I don’t see any specific learning or pointers for us. We have campaigned with a killer instinct as a party and will now focus on mobilisation of the voters for ensuring a high turnout and voting on February 7.

Satish Upadhyay:

The BJP is being described as a ‘bit nervous’. What is the mood in the party?

There is absolutely no nervousness in the party. We are confident that we are winning this election with a comfortable majority. I think getting in Kiran Bedi was the right decision taken by the party leadership after necessary deliberation and thought.

Do you think the infighting and resentment in the cadre, specifically with the entry of Kiran Bedi and other recent entrants, will influence the results?

The BJP cadre have put all the efforts in making Kiran Bedi’s campaign a success. The party high command took a decision to bring her in as a CM candidate and the cadre have fallen in line to work with her, maybe after some hiccups. We don’t have any doubts about her candidature. We believe she is a social activist and has a clean track record, which will work in favour of the party.

Do you see this to be a comfortable election for BJP or a tough one?

No election is easy and I don’t think this election will be a cakewalk for any party.

Do you see the possibility of a ‘hung’ verdict? 

I don’t really see the possibility of an indecisive mandate. I think the BJP will get a clear majority. Delhi voters want to have the two governments -- in Delhi and at the Centre -- working in alignment for a better city.

Do you think the charges of corruption by AAP against you will have an impact on voters?

The voters can see the reality of the charges against me. The Election Commission has taken cognizance and issued notice to Arvind Kejriwal on this. Now AAP needs to explain on the truth of the charges of financial misdoings.

There are reports of the anti-Modi wave…

There is no anti-Modi wave in Delhi. The verdict will once again show that voters are with Modi and his vision.

Do you think AAP has nosed ahead in becoming a favourite of the lower income voters?

AAP has definitely made inroads among them, but the BJP will continue to focus on them.

Who do you see as your committed voters?

I think the middle and upper income voters, youth and Dalits are definitely going to vote for the BJP.