‘ No individual above party’
Narendra Modi might have led the BJP to a spectacular win with an impressive tally of 282, but former BJP president M. Venkaiah Naidu believes no individual can rise above the party, which derives its strength from cadres, unlike a “private limited company” like the Congress.
In an interview with this newspaper, Mr Naidu also said people of the country punished not just the Congress, but all those who were seen close to the erstwhile ruling party like the NCP, DMK, RJD, SP and BSP.
“No individual is bigger than the party. And everyone accepts this, including Narendra Modi. Even after winning for the third time in Gujarat, he dedicated the victory to the party and cadres.”
“We are all humble workers of the party and nobody thinks he is above the party and above all. It ( BJP) is not a private limited company like the Congress,” Mr Naidu said.
The former BJP president was responding to a question whether Mr Modi has eclipsed leaders like A. B. Vajpayee and L. K. Advani and has grown above the BJP.
Outlining the priorities for the BJP government, he said the most important job was to “repair” the economy along with other aspects of development across the country.
“First priority is putting the economy back on track. Development of the country depends on the economy. Unless you put the economy on the right rail you cannot take development forward. You will have to focus the attention first of all towards repairing the economy,” he said.
On being asked whether there would be any kind of interference in the functioning of the government from the BJP, he replied in the negative, saying the government would implement an agenda which would also have the support of the allies. He also said the clean mandate for the BJP was due to the appeal by Mr Modi for giving him a chance to deliver for good governance and development.
“There was an element of negative vote. Definitely people were angry at corruption and they were waiting to take revenge against the Congress. At the same time, they are convinced with Narendra Modi’s leadership and the good performance of BJP- ruled states. So overall it is a positive mandate,” he said.