Modi wave not strong like 2014 elections but NDA will win: Sanjay Raut

NASHIK

: Senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday admitted that the Modi wave this time around is not strong this time around but the voters will still bring NDA to power for the work it has done in the last five years.


“The Narendra Modi wave is not strong as it was in the 2014 general elections, but the voters are not opposed to him as such. In this election, we are highlighting the works done by the NDA government in the last five years,” he told reporters.

Answering a query, Raut said that along with the issue of development, matters related to country’s security cannot be ignored.

According to him, NDA is giving maximum attention to the constituencies in north Maharashtra, including Nashik. “We have observed that voters are favouring NDA. Modi is our prime ministerial candidate. We have an alliance with BJP for 25 years. This is election is extremely important for the nation,” he said .

Stating that the terror attack on the CRPF jawans at Pulwama had evoked strong patriotic feelings among people across the country, the senior Sena functionary said that Indians want the nation’s security to be strengthened.

“People want a decisive leader and a strong alliance that can protect the country and its people. I have noticed this sentiment prevailing in various parts of the country, irrespective of opposition’s claims,” he said.

Ridiculing senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal for stating that UPA has five contenders for the post of prime minister, Raut said NDA has a prime ministerial face and a well-knit alliance.

“Unlike UPA, there is no infighting for the post of PM in NDA. The components of this alliance are Shiv Sena, Akali Dal, Janata Dal, Lok Janshakti and other small parties that support Modi. Uddhav Thackeray, Ram Vilas Paswan and others do not want to become PM. People have already decided who they want as PM,” he said.

Replying to another query, Raut said that Shiv Sena will ensure that Ram Mandir is constructed in Ayodhya after the NDA forms the government.

“Congress and its president Rahul Gandhi would never build the temple, even if they win the elections. Sena will exert pressure on Modi to construct the temple after he takes charge after May 23,” he said.

Raut added that Prakash Ambedkar joining hands with AIMIM is not good as MIM leaders makes anti-national statements. “Elections until now have been fought only on Muslim and backward class votes. Modi can give strong Hindutva leadership,” he said, adding that Sena had no regrets supporting Malegaon blast accused Col Purohit and Sadhvi Pragya Singh.

Raut also spoke about the government’s efforts to work out a solution for the burning Jet Airways issue and added that resolving the BSNL issue is also a priority.