National BJP President JP Nadda on Friday dismissed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as a fringe player while the Congress stood no chance in Gujarat, “which is an undisputed globally recognised laboratory of good governance” even as heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Gujarat Government for its “effective” handling of the Covid-19 crisis.
Asked why did his party have to dismiss the entire Vijay Rupani Government if it was doing so well, Nadda told reporters at the State BJP Headquarters in Gandhinagar, “Certain decisions are taken for strategic reasons; it is only the BJP that gives the younger blood an opportunity to prove their mettle.”
“Gujarat is a laboratory and such experiments should be taken from the positive viewpoint. You show me which party has the gumption to initiate a bold step like changing the chief minister and the Cabinet in one go. It is not necessary to reveal the details of all strategies,” the BJP President added.
Nadda was on a day-long tour, just days after back to back visits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on a stock taking visit here. He would leave for Delhi on Saturday after holding a closed-door meeting with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Gujarat BJP President CR Paatil.
The BJP President ruled out any proposal for their party for an early election in Gujarat, “the conduct of polls is the responsibility of the Election Commission.”
He praised the Centre’s handling of the Covid situation and the Ukraine crisis as well as appreciated the work of the BJP rank and file during the corona crisis. Nadda claimed that, “I am happy with the contribution of the BJP cadres towards Covid management.”
According to the BJP president, all political parties locked themselves up under quarantine while the BJP cadres distributed at least 15 crore ration kits. “The leaders of other parties were more found on Twitter or video conferences, while BJP cadres were on the ground helping out people in distress.”
Asked about use of bulldozers on properties on alleged rioters selectively, he said, “The BJP believes in rule of law and constitution. Whoever crosses the law and violates the Constitution will face action.”
About the AAP aggressively campaigning in Gujarat, Nadda said the AAP experimented with four States recently. In Uttar Pradesh, its candidates lost deposit on all 377 seats. In Uttarakhand, they lost deposits on 67 of 68 seats. Similarly in Goa, they forfeited deposits in 35 out of 39 seats. “Let them try out Gujarat too,” he said.
To another question about the AAP contesting in Gujarat by projecting the Delhi model, “All that will also come under public scrutiny. Just wait and watch.”
The BJP president appreciated the Bhupendra Patel Government and said, “Gujarat ranks first in financial management. In last 20 years, Gujarat has never taken overdraft and it has increased budgetary resources and development expenditure without taking overdraft.’
‘Under the leadership of Bhupendra Patel, the State is progressing ahead and at the same time, under leadership of CR Paatil, the party organization is also progressing. The scientific system of page committees and booth committee is also expanding. BJP has achieved 90 per cent plus result in recent elections in Gujarat. Gujarat has been a laboratory for organization and governance. This model will further move ahead.’
