New Delhi, 17 February 2014

In an interview with Business Standard newspaper, BJP’s national president Rajnath Singh made it clear that in whatever post-election scenario, BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate will be the Prime Ministerial candidate.

-So, will you offer a common minimum programme (CMP) if you cannot reach 272 on your own? And, will the CMP have Article 370 in it?

Let us see what happens. The way the wind is blowing, the unexpected can happen. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in its present form might reach 275, even 300. But let me tell you that even on our core issues, we would strive for a consensus and would not force them down as the Congress does. I am sure we will get a majority on our own.

-But if you don’t, there is a feeling you might have to replace your prime ministerial candidate.

There is no question. Narendra Modi will be the Prime Minister in all circumstances. We would rather sit in the opposition but we will not replace our prime ministerial candidate.

-What if the Third Front says you should support them from the outside but agrees to implement a part of your agenda?

That is a hypothetical question. Administration cannot run only on the basis of rules and regulations. There is something called moral authority. If we project one person as the Prime Minister all along and make somebody else the PM, how will he have the moral authority to rule? And if moral authority is gone, what is left?