'Opposition unity is practically impossible'

PATNA: The opposition parties actually want 'Congress-mukt Bharat', BJP Rajya Sabha member Sushil Kumar Modi tells TOI's Madhuri Kumar. Excerpts:

How do you assess the prevailing political scenario in the state?
There is political stability in the state. However, it is difficult for JD(U) as an independent party to exist. Only a few months back Nitish Kumar had announced Tejashwi Prasad Yadav as his successor and talks of JD(U)-RJD merger were also doing rounds. In case any merger happens, Nitish will have an advantage of becoming the leader of a bigger party. However, this is again a formidable task, for soon after Nitish announced the RJD scion as his successor, voices of dissent rose in JD(U) and he had to step back. As far as BJP is concerned, people do acknowledge the party's contribution towards the state and we will be in an advantageous position.

If the opposition succeeds in forming a united front, is the BJP ready to give it a formidable challenge in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls?
Opposition unity is a facade. The opposition parties actually want 'Congress-mukt Bharat' and not 'BJP-mukt Bharat'. All regional parties and their leaders like TMC's Mamta Bannerjee, SP supremo Akhilesh Yadav, AAP's Arvind Kejriwal, Sharad Pawar, JMM's Hemant Soren, Uddhav Thackeray, MK Stalin are not ready to share seats with Congress. The proposed unity is practically impossible and no regional political party will compromise on its separate identity. The only exception is 1977, when four opposition parties had joined hands to form a government at the Centre. Hence, there is no real threat to BJP. The opposition parties can do some 'chai pe charcha', but nothing substantial will emerge.

How far will Nitish's move to unite the opposition affect the caste equation and vote bank of BJP in state?
As I said, the BJP is not at all scared about the opposition meeting in Patna on June 23. As far the caste equation and vote bank are concerned, the recent three bypolls in the state have proved that most of the JD(U) voters like Kushwahas and Dhanuk Kurmis voted in large numbers for BJP. The party won two of the three seats in byelections. Moreover, with Upendra Kushwaha in the NDA fold and Samrat Chaudhary becoming the state BJP chief, the Kushwaha community will surely support us. Incidentally, RJD voters are loyal.

BJP is again ready to embrace Upendra Kushwaha. Jitan Ram Manjhi, Sahani etc? How far will these allies prove beneficial for the party?
Several NDA allies had parted ways after the 2019 LS polls. But they soon realised that BJP is a more reliable and dependable partner. In fact, it is a homecoming for many of them. The reality is that the memory of Lalu-Rabri regime is still fresh in the minds of people and nobody actually wants to ally with the RJD-JD(U) combine. Moreover, BJP can now afford to spare seats for its allies.

What will be BJP's strategy with LJP- both Chirag and Pashupati Paras?
We hope Chirag and Pashupati Paras will come together and BJP will play a major role in it. Once the LJP is united, I hope they will ally with the NDA.

Has BJP any strategy for the Seemanchal region to counter the AIMIM?
In Seemanchal, Muslim presence is very strong. Yet BJP is trying hard to make inroads there. The importance of the region can be understood from the fact that Union home minister Amit Shah launched his Lok Sabha campaign in Bihar in September 2022 from Seemanchal and has visited Bihar thrice after JD(U) snapped ties with BJP in August 2022. The Yadavs and sizeable Muslim population had voted for BJP in the last LS polls and we hope the same again. In fact, BJP will try to woo the Pasmanda Muslim voters as the community now feels empowered and have been benefited by the central government schemes.

What will be BJP's poll plank for the Lok Sabha polls?As of now, we have started a month-long mass contact programme in which party workers and leaders are interacting with people to make them aware of the achievements of the nine years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi rule. PM Modi's regime reflects 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas'.

How many seats do you expect to win this Lok Sabha polls?
BJP's tally in Bihar has witnessed a constant increase. Last year we won 39 out of 40. In 2014, the number was 31. We hope to get full marks in the upcoming polls. PM Modi's popularity is still unmatched and people will vote for a party which can provide a stable government. Hence, I am sure BJP's vote bank is intact.