The NDA is all set to register an impressive victory in Bihar. The NDA is getting strengthened due to fragmentation of the UPA. BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley, who is in charge of Bihar and has been camping in Patna to monitor the election strategy, says that he is confident of an NDA victory. In an exclusive interview to Organiser Correspondent Deepak Kumar Rath Shri Jaitley explains NDA'spoll strategy. Excerpts.
Some opinion polls have already started predicting that it will be a hung assembly again in Bihar. What is your reaction?
I don'tthink that there would be any hung assembly. I think the NDA is heading for a good majority.
The Supreme Court verdict against imposition of President'srule in Bihar has proved to be a moral victory for NDA. Do you think it will swing vote in your favour?
I think it is a moral, legal and political victory of NDA. It is also a proof of the fact that NDA had a majority and was prevented by the Central Government, the Governor and the RJD and this would be a high moral stand against them. It would certainly have an impact on the coming Assembly elections.
Is there any material difference in the election scene in Bihar because of the clearer demarcation of the anti-Lalu forces in the State? For example the CPM and CPI are fighting from different platforms. The CPI(ML) is totally identified with Paswan.
See there is a division in the UPA and this is a positive development for the NDA. And the division of the UPA begins from Bihar.
What is the difference in your electoral strategy in this election as against the one adopted in the earlier (March) election?
In the last election we were contesting in the background of the Lok Sabha elections, but in this election we are contesting in the background of the good performance of the last Assembly election and we are targeting a clear mandate.
The BJP'sperformance in the last elections was not very satisfactory since its winning percentage was less than 50 per cent. Will it be better this time?
See it is very difficult for any political party to win 50 per cent seats in Bihar because there is a fragmentation of the electorates. I am sure the NDA will improve this time.
Do you agree with the allegation that the BJP has condoned the presence of criminals in the NDA ranks? There are also reports that Shatrughan Sinha, Hema Malini, etc., have expressed their reservations on this. Do you think that these leaders will actively campaign for the party?
The BJP has tried to be free from people of criminal track record out of a list of 102 candidates. Secondly we can'tdictate other parties. We are requesting all of our leaders to actively campaign for the party and I hope they will campaign for the party.
