SCAMS AND FAILED PROMISES WILL END AAP'S DECADE IN DELHI: JAY PANDA

In an exclusive and candid interaction with The Sunday Guardian, BJP National Vice President and Delhi BJP's election in-charge, Baijayant "Jay" Panda, spoke on multiple issues including why he believes BJP is winning in Delhi this time, the absence of a CM face and how BJP intends to tackle pollution and the polluted Yamuna.

- TIKAM SHARMA & ABHINANDAN MISHRA

Q: Have you been able to identify what are the weaknesses of the BJP that have kept it out of power since 1993?

A: The issue is actually different because the BJP has consistently grown stronger over the years, even though we haven't formed the government in Delhi since the 1990s. Historically, we used to govern Delhi with about 32% of the vote share. However, our vote share has steadily increased since then. In the last Vidhan Sabha elections, we secured 38%, and in the Municipal Council elections two years ago, we achieved 40%. This marks significant progress. Unfortunately, other parties, with their freebie-driven models, have mismanaged Delhi's resources and led it into economic difficulties.

The AAP, in particular, has been involved in massive scams, including thousands of crores in the Delhi Jal Board and severe mismanagement in the DTC, which operates with only a third of the buses it needs.

Their focus is neither on Delhi’s future nor on Bharat’s progress. However, the BJP has developed strategies to counter these issues effectively. Nationally, our recent track record has been excellent. Over the past year, we have won most of the states we contested, including states like Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Haryana, and Maharashtra, where no one expected us to succeed. The same determination and strategies are being implemented in Delhi, and we are confident that the people of Delhi will bless us with their support, allowing us to form the government this time.

Q: With the BJP’s vote share in the recent Delhi elections consistently ranging between 32-38%, what measures is the party taking to boost this percentage?