GUWAHATI: BJP general secretary and Northeast in-charge, Ram Madhav has asserted that the party and its allies would sweep the Lok Sabha elections in the Northeast even as he took a jibe at the “unholy” alliance of the Opposition Congress, which he alleged was “clueless”.
“BJP is alone contesting 18 seats in the Northeast while four are being contested by our alliance partners and three others by our NEDA affiliated parties. The party and its alliance partners are hoping to win at least 20 seats in the region. In Assam, BJP aims to win 10 on its own while backing its allies to win the remaining four,” Madhav told reporters here on Sunday.
Asserting that the “Modi wave” has not waned since 2014, he said that the scenario in the country as well as was clear. “The Modi wave has not waned but has grown bigger than what it was in 2014. This is an unprecedented situation where the ruling party has a wave behind it. We are confident of moving towards a two-thirds majority,” Madhav said.
The BJP leader further slammed the Congress for its “unholy alliance” across the country. “The Opposition does not have the strength or ability to defeat BJP on its own and is therefore trying to stitch up such alliances. Congress is moving forward with no agenda and it is a clueless party. In Assam, Congress is moving forward with an unholy alliance with All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), which will be rejected by the people,” he said.
On the NEDA partners putting up own candidates, he said that after due diligence they decided to contest separately, which the party welcomed.
“Electorally, they wanted to have their candidates on their own. But we are confident that after the elections, all these parties would support Narendra Modiji,” he said.
On the point of putting up elected representatives in the Lok Sabha seats, Madhav said that it was not a new practice.
“We have decided to put our best foot forward…..once they get elected other best candidates will be selected for the legislative Assembly seats,” he said, adding, “We are not a party that relies on dynastic politics. We believe in giving chances to eligible new candidates.
In Meghalaya, BJP is fielding South Shillong MLA Sanbor Shullai for Shillong Lok Sabha seat. In Assam, minister Pallab Lochan Das has been fielded in the Tezpur Lok Sabha seat.
“Those who did not get tickets for the seats in Assam will get important responsibilities in the party in the coming days,” Madhav said.
He further announced that Prime Minister Modi will visit Northeast on March 30 and twice in April.
