BJP on a high in Himachal as PM Modi’s rallies give big booster shot  

Shimla: The BJP is in high spirits in Himachal as the two successful back-to-back rallies addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday have come as a big boost to the party’s poll campaign in the hill state.

With PM Modi scheduled to arrive for another final wrap-up of the Himachal poll campaign, BJP’s national President  J P Nadda says the ruling party will win more seats in this election.

“Modi ji has changed the political culture, Congress has no feet to stand, the BJP will win comfortably both in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat,” he said.

He said the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) is Congress’s gift to Himachal Pradesh. The Congress government introduced NPS (New Pension Scheme).The BJP government will find a solution .The government employees also understand that only the BJP will be able to find a way out, he added.

After having camped in Shimla for over a week for the election campaign, Nadda told India Narrative that Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘s connections with the people in Himachal Pradesh, his leadership and double engine government have turned the so-called anti-incumbency in the states to pro-incumbency.

“ We have given a slogan of –Riwaaz Badal Raha Hai .This is the true essence of elections this time in Himachal. The people have realised that a stable government in the state and centre can deliver better for small states,” he claimed.

So will PM Modi be a factor? When asked, Nadda replied,

“Modi ji is a big factor beside the performance and good works of Jai Ram Thakur. Afterall Jai Ram Thakur has brought all those mega projects and schemes on the ground. He is leading the BJP to the polls. We will form the government again in the state.”

Nadda said he will not be able to give an exact number of seats which the BJP is likely to win but it will certainly be a comfortable victory.

“ The exact number I will be able to figure out in a day or so,” he added.

The BJP national President said he did not see rebels as a problem for the party. Since the BJP is a cadre-based party, they are unlikely to create a big impact or make a mark.

“Actually, there were quite a large number of BJP leaders aspiring for the ticket. Because they thought, the party is returning to power and if they don’t get a chance, they will be left out of office for the next five years,” he explained..

Speaking on the Congress manifesto, Nadda said the opposition has not done any home-work . No study has been done on the number of people which will be benefitted or how much liability will come on the exchequer.

In comparison, if you see BJP’s Salkap Patra (manifesto) every promise has statistics about beneficiaries targeted and funds required per annum.

“ For example, we have promised Rs 3000 under Mukhyamantri Annadaata Samman Nidhi, which is a top-up to Rs 6000 given through PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. We have the data on farmers and funds needed. Same is the case with the Atal Pension Scheme for women above 30 years,” he explained.

Nadda said the promise of a Uniform Civil Code in the “Sankalp Patra” is more as part of the commitment which the party has made with the country. Some of the states have already taken initiatives, more will follow suit as per their mandate.

On the prospects of AAP in Himachal Pradesh, Nadda said the party lost deposits in 349 out of 350 constituencies. It lost deposits in 45 out of 69 seats, in Goa, it lost deposits in 35 out of 39 seats, and this time, in Himachal, they did not even stay on the crease though their entry was late. They will lose deposits in all 68 seats.”