New Delhi: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's political foes are not impressed with the BJP making him the Prime Ministerial candidate. BJP's former ally JD(U), the Congress and the Left have hit out against Modi and the BJP.
"The BJP has made it clear that they are not interested in uniting the Opposition parties for a holistic coalition. Their vision for the country aims to divide communities and weaken the country," Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar said.
The Congress has called Modi 'mere hype'. "This is an internal matter of the BJP. Modi's image is nothing more than hype," Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said. Minister of State for Home Affairs RPN Singh called Modi a 'divisive figure'. "If you think that by naming such a divisive figure BJP has had a head start, then what can I say? The Congress will follow its tradition of MPs choosing its leader after elections," RPN SIngh said.
However, BJP President Rajnath Singh expressed confidence that his party will get the winning numbers in 2014. He also assured allies that they'll get full participation once BJP forms the NDA government.
Speaking to CNN-IBN, Rajnath on Saturday said, "We will have the numbers to form the government and we want to assure our allies that when the government is formed, they will have full participation."
Modi, after being anointed, said he will leave no stone unturned to work for the BJP's victory in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The question that many are asking now is as to whether the Modi brand will help the BJP get the numbers in 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
Speaking to IBN18 Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai, Shiv Sena spokesperson Rahul Narvekar said more regional parties will join the NDA. "After 1999, we had a coalition of 24 parties. Let me assure you that a number of regional parties and a number of other people will be joining the NDA fold," he said.
However, experts seem to be raising doubts. Former Editor-in-Chief of national daily 'The Hindu' N Ram said, "We have to be objective about this. Look at the numbers. If the BJP gets 140 to 150 seats, it's virtually impossible to form a government. If it reaches 200, it has a sporting chance. But then, who will support it? The Shiv Sena and Akali Dal are likely, AIADMK probably, TDP possibly. But JD(U) and BSP are unlikely. Not TMC, not LEFT. Not DMK, which is with the Congress, not YSR Congress, not NCP or RLD. So where are they going to get the numbers from? What are we talking about?"
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