‘The Desperation Of Modi Is Visible'

NCP chief says BJP will not get the numbers, and others will have to come together like in 2004 to provide a stable government

Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar speaks on the BJP’s electoral discourse focussed on Hindutva, Pakistan and personal attacks on Opposition leaders, and asserts this indicates that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is frustrated. Excerpts:

From banter about nuclear weapons to strapping Rahul Gandhi on a missile or a fighter plane, what do you make of the BJP’s recent electoral pitch?

The Prime Minister is confused. The Prime Minister is an institution of which one has to maintain the dignity. His campaign started with Hindutva. In 2014, it was development, and the people of the country thought, ‘Why not give an opportunity to him’ and people supported him.

But what is his performance in five years? Farmer suicides, demonetisation, no industrial growth. And therefore, there are no specific points on which he can convince people to support him. That’s why he is resorting to this, and then there are the personal attacks... on the Nehru-Gandhi family in the country, and in Maharashtra, on Sharad Pawar’s family.

You have participated in over 14 elections... have you seen such a level of discourse?

I have not seen a person occupying the PMO campaigning in such a manner. I remember the speeches of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and others. They always maintained the sanctity and dignity of the institution. But this gentleman has no qualms about it and can go down to any level possible for political gains.