"WE ARE NOT AFRAID OF OPPOSITION UNITY. IT IS A MIRAGE"

With four major state elections to be held later this year and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls less than a year away, BJP president J.P. NADDA's schedule is packed with back-to-back party meetings. Despite that, the affable Nadda took time out to speak to Group Editorial Director RAJ CHENGAPPA and Deputy Editor ANILESH MAHAJAN on the BJP's strategy for the general elections. He talked confidently and candidly on a range of electoral issues without dodging tough questions. Excerpts:

- RAJ CHENGAPPA, ANILESH MAHAJAN

Q. With the 2024 general election less than a year away, what are the BJP's plans to win a majority of seats on its own as it did in 2014 and 2019?

Now if you look at 2014, the issue was corruption, policy paralysis, non-governance and the economy being in the doldrums. From 2014 to 2019, Prime Minister Modi worked on all fronts for the empowerment of all sections of the people, particularly the poor and  the backward. Strong, bold decisions were taken on the economic front, on infrastructure, national security, strengthening defence and outreach in international relationships. By 2019, we were able to bring things back on track and set the momentum for even bigger changes.

Q. Then at the start of the Modi government's second term, the pandemic struck...

Yes. Although in these past four years, the world faced the worst pandemic of the century, PM Modi converted the crisis and potential into an opportunity. He took bold decisions and took the nation along with him. Health infrastructure was set up and the government worked to enhance the nation's self-confidence and towards atmanirbharta. In spite of the supply chain issues because of the Ukraine war and other issues it caused, the Indian economy remained stable-even the IMF has acknowledged that. Now even an agency like Morgan Stanley says that the Indian economy is a bright spot in Asia.

Q. So, what will be the big message that you will go with for 2024, to win a mandate for the third time?