Assembly polls: BJP will make clean sweep, says Modi - 'Rahul does not sit in the House, does not listen'-

With political spheres in all five poll-bound states heating up, PM denies any atmosphere of anti-incumbency in states where BJP received the opportunity to work

PM Narendra Modi: File Picture

TT Bureau, Agencies   |   New Delhi   |  09.02.22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday exuded confidence about winning assembly elections in all five poll-bound states- Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand, Manipur- saying that the BJP will emerge victorious and form governments with an absolute majority according to ndtv.com.

In an exclusive interview to ANI as quoted by ndtv.com, the Prime Minister said, "I have seen in all states that there is the inclination towards the BJP and we will win the elections with a full majority. The people of all these five states will give BJP the opportunity to serve them."

Reiterating his party's vision of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', the Prime Minister said that whether it is election time or not, the BJP, despite the fact that it is in power or in coalition, strives for the welfare of the people.

"When we are in power, then with great energy and on a large scale we work with the mantra 'Sabka Saath, Saabka Vikas' (with everyone's participation, we ensure the development of all)," the Prime Minister told ANI.

With political spheres in all five poll-bound states heating up, the Prime Minister denied any atmosphere of anti-incumbency in states where BJP received the opportunity to work, adding that there is an atmosphere of "pro-incumbency."

"Wherever BJP got the opportunity to work with stability, there the environment is of 'pro-incumbency' instead of 'anti-incumbency'. The BJP always emerges victoriously with 'pro-incumbency' in elections," the Prime Minister said.

Citing an example of Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP emerged victorious consecutively in 2014, 2017, 2019 elections- both in assembly polls and Lok Sabha elections, defying the trend of political parties not coming to power again in the state, the Prime Minister said,

"The people of Uttar Pradesh have already thrown away the old theory of 'ek bar aao, ek bar jao' (come to power once and then go). The BJP has itself experienced that it was accepted in 2014, then the people saw our government's work and we again got elected in 2017, and similarly in 2019 as well. Now in 2022, they will again see our work and again accept us."

On Rahul Gandhi

Slamming Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his attack on the Union government for not issuing a clarification on issues like the India-China border dispute and rising unemployment in Parliament, Modi said that detailed answers were given by respective ministries. Modi also iterated that he had himself spoken on some subjects whenever and wherever it was necessary. The Minister targeted the former Congress chief and dubbed him as a "person who does not listen and does not sit in the House.

Stressing that he welcomes debate in Parliament, PM Modi said that he and his government do not attack anyone and believe in dialogue. 

Minister Teni's son

Modi said the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh "is working transparently" on the probe into allegations that Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni's son ran over farmers at Lakhimpur Kheri. The minister's son, Ashish Mishra,  has been in jail since October but he continues to be Minister of State for Home despite Opposition demands for his sacking

Responding to Opposition allegations that those in the BJP were being shielded Modi said, "The state government gave its consent for whatever committee the Supreme Court wanted, for whichever judge the Supreme Court wanted for the probe. The state government is working transparently."

On October 3, Ashish Mishra was allegedly driving an SUV that ran over farmers at Lakhimpur Kheri protesting against three controversial farm laws. He was arrested days later. After the UP police and administration was accused of going slow on the investigation, the Supreme Court ordered an inquiry.