‘NDA the only alternative’

ARUN JAITLEY, Union finance minister

Our promise of good governance has struck a chord with Bihar, Arun Jaitley tells HT

Finance minister Arun Jaitley has always been BJP’s chief troubleshooter for the government and party. He spoke to HT’s Kumar Uttam in Patna on NDA’s poll prospect, his one-time friend Nitish Kumar and the impact this election will have on the economic reforms agenda of the NDA government. Excerpts:

How is the NDA placed in this election?

We have done quite well so far. NDA’s promise for good governance has struck a chord with the people of Bihar. This election is about aspirations of the common man who wants job, growth, peace, better education and health facilities. We are confident of doing well in the coming phases and forming a government with a clear majority.

Is this election about whether or not Bihar wants to see Nitish Kumar as CM?

No. The Grand Alliance (GA) is a very scary alliance… They have chosen somebody (Lalu) as their leader against whom he (Nitish) fought for 20 years. Bihar could not go beyond the elementary works that is now presented as development. Even these happened during the first term of Nitish Kumar, of which BJP was a part. NDA is the only alternative. People of Bihar know that very well.

What gives you an edge over Nitish Kumar?

Lalu Prasad’s track record is a big liability for the GA … He is primarily responsible for where Bihar is today … People will not want to turn the clock back.

Is Lalu’s stronghold over certain communities the biggest worry for NDA?

JD(U) has a shrinking support base. Congress has virtually no support base. RJD is the dominant party as far as the GA is concerned. The fear of a chaotic alliance in this land of opportunities is something the

people would want to avoid.

How do you see the Grand Alliance placed in this poll?

The GA has become a political group with no ideology. They can support BJP in the name of anti-Congressism. They can support Congress in the name of opposing BJP. Its political flexibility is opportunism.

Do you see any pattern in the high turnout of women voters who were believed to have voted for Nitish earlier?

…It is also primarily because that a large number of men living in rural areas have gone out of Bihar in search of livelihood. This also points at Nitish’s failure.

Will this poll’s outcome have any bearing on your economic reform agenda?

It will have certain bearing on the numbers (in the Rajya Sabha). It will be important.

Will it also lead to some sort of chemistry between your political rivals?

Chemistry is something which depends on numbers. It is the number which will be important.

Is there any apprehension about the polls becoming a forward versus backward contest after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s remarks about reservation?

Since the GA has no issue to fight this election, they are trying to invent something which doesn’t exist.