‘We will wipe out Grand Alliance in next phases’

PATNA: Considered a master poll strategist, Union minister and BJP poll in-charge of Bihar, Dharmendra Pradhan, spoke to HT about various poll-related issues. Excerpts:

What is your assessment of the NDA’s performance? We are upbeat. Of 81 constituencies which went to the polls in their first two phases, the BJP and its allies will win minimum 55 seats.

What about NDA’s prospect in the next three phases?

The first two phases were quite challenging for us, but we could handle them successfully. In the next three phases, we will wipe out the Grand Alliance (GA) of the JD(U) and the RJD.

The GA claims BJP has no worthy leader to project as

CM. What is your take?

The NDA government at the Centre was formed under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Since people’s aspirations for development are important, one of his supporters would be chosen as the Bihar chief minister.

What is your comment on Nitish Kumar’s remark on “purane din lauta de” (return the old days)?

He should specify what exactly he wants. Does he want the return of the ‘Jungle Raj’ of the RJD regime or the ‘corrupt’ government of UPA? Unless he specifies his wishes, they can’t be met. For daily updates and analyses from the ground as the state holds polls, visit hindustan times.com/bihar-elections