Ahmedabad, 4 June 2013

Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Shri Arun Jaitley in his interview with NDTV gave replies of questions on BJP’s future course of action so far as leadership and poll campaign is concerned. The video on this link from around 10th minute covers the political questions and answers. Glimpses of some of the replies given by Shri Jaitley are presented below:

“I personally believe that since his popularity is extremely high, and his acceptability in the cadre is extremely high, he is capable to influencing the entire campaign. There is a special place for him in campaign which will be decided by party president in consultation with colleges.”

“I do accept that the sentiment of the cadre which is apparent is almost self evident because whenever I travel across the country, the very mention of Narendra Modi’s name I can see the applause is far more thunderous than for any one of us.”

“I do see the election campaign moving in a direction where besides alliance, social combinations and parties will have role, but personality of a leader will also have a role. That’s because of void of effective leadership the country is feeling.”

“All of us including Narendra Modi who have emerged in the BJP in the last few decades are all people almost introduced by Advani. We have learned a lot from him. And therefore to say that there is a group of anti-Modi activists around him would not be fair to him. I see Advaniji as guide or patron in the party. At times even when it is self critical, we allow him to speak freely because it guides us.”

“Narendra Modi’s popularity is as high as possible. There’s almost a groundswell in his favor, I have repeatedly said this. I think for the last one and half to two years, this groundswell actually demonstrating itself. If you see all the opinion polls which reflect the public opinion outside the party also, he stands much taller than others. In order to determine a choice, you factor in various consideration, you factor in the timing, you factor in the merits and demerits of what you have to do. That’s where we are standing today. I think when we decide what we have to do, the media can wait. But media has right to speculate.”

“I would personally want the party whether it’s Goa or after Goa, the direction in which we are moving, much sooner or later get self evident.”