GUWAHATI, March 17 - Even as some senior members of the party, including serving parliamentarians, have in recent days expressed dissatisfaction over reports of their names not figuring in the panel of candidates shortlisted for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, the ruling BJP today said such murmurs of discontent will not hurt its prospects in the elections.
�While I do not want to comment on statements made by individual leaders but our party has a policy of �nation first, party second and individual third�. So, the ambitions of individuals do not matter in our party. What matters is the dedication of our cadres and the ideals and vision of the party,� said State BJP spokesperson Pramod Swamy.
He said that the statements made by some BJP leaders in Assam expressing dissatisfaction about the candidate selection process will have no bearing on the party�s electoral prospects. �Our agenda for the coming elections is to see Narendra Modi re-elected as the Prime Minister of the country for another term. And we are confident of achieving the target,� he added.
Swamy said the country has experienced a lot of changes since the NDA regime came to power in 2014.
�The development that the government has brought about during the past five years has been unprecedented. Under the Modi government, the country�s GDP has grown at over seven per cent annually. The high inflation experienced during the term of the previous UPA regime is now a thing of the past. Inflation has come down substantially during the term of the present government. The social welfare schemes launched by our government have benefited crores of people. Affordable healthcare has become a reality for the poorest of the poor. Under such circumstances, we are confident of returning to power,� he said.
Regarding matters related to terrorism and security, Swamy said, �The Modi government�s performance has changed the perception regarding India within the international community. The government has managed to send a strong signal to supporters of terrorism. The present Prime Minister has shown political will, which was lacking in previous leaders who used to govern our country.�
Swamy said BJP will seek votes in the name of Modi and the development carried out by the NDA government in the past five years.
�The opposition has no candidate for the post of Prime Minister. Rahul Gandhi is not acceptable to Akhilesh Yadav or Mamata Banerjee. All talk of a grand alliance is nothing but wishful thinking. On the other hand, all the parties in the NDA accept Prime Minister Modi as their leader,� he said.
Swamy said the NDA coalition aims to win at least 20-21 of the total 25 seats from the northeastern states.
