Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said though the contest in the Punjab assembly elections was no longer bipolar with the "advent of new smaller parties", BJP will nevertheless emerge clear winner.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, in alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal, is part of a coalition government in Punjab since 2007.
Due to misgovernance in Delhi and several mistakes they made in Punjab, the AAP’s popularity has come down significantly. I won’t say that AAP doesn’t exist in Punjab, but it is relevant only in a few seats. On the other hand, BJP has certain advantages. For example, the BJP-led central government is very popular among the masses.
Taking a dig at politician Navjot Singh Sidhu’s statement that he is a born Congressman, Jaitley said: “He realised the fact of his birth too late.” Sidhu left the BJP last year and joined the Congress this month.
“Need Law and Order Menace to Address Drug Menace”
As for the allegations pertaining to corruption and drug trade against the Badals, Jaitley said it is "just a perception" and he had never come across any evidence of their involvement.
Furthermore, he said that both law and order machinery and societal intervention are needed to address the drug menace in the border state. Besides, he said, more rehabilitation centres should be set up.
On the BJP's chief ministerial face in Uttar Pradesh, Jaitley said the BJP is not projecting anyone as yet for the post.
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