The AAP doesn't have a face

WHILE THE BJP has swept the last three Lok Sabha elections in Delhi, it has faltered at the assembly stage. Since October, Baijayant Panda, BJP national vice-president and Lok Sabha member from Odisha, has been spearheading the party's campaign to break its “capital jinx”. In an interview with THE WEEK at his home, adorned with works of Jamini Roy and M.F. Husain, Panda was optimistic that Delhi voters were ready for change. Excerpts:

- PRATUL SHARMA

Q/The BJP hasn't been in power in Delhi since 1998. Do you think this streak will be broken this time?

A/ The BJP will comfortably form government in Delhi. The people have endured 10 years of this aapda (disaster). They've been subjected to false promises—whether it's cleaning the Yamuna or tackling pollution. Basic services like water supply are a shambles, with people forced to buy bottled water; the Jal Board's water quality is so poor it can cause typhoid.

Meanwhile, India is the world's fifth-largest economy with rapid development in other states. Yet, Delhi, the capital, looks anything but [developed].

Q/ The AAP has the advantage of having a clear chief minister face; the BJP hasn't declared one yet.

A/ Quite the opposite. The so-called CM face of the AAP (Arvind Kejriwal) had to resign because of a major corruption scandal...the Supreme Court's bail conditions prevent him from functioning as chief minister.

They insulted their own chief minister (Atishi), who happens to be a woman, saying she's a temporary chief minister. So, it is for them to answer who is going to lead their team if the leader is legally unable to. Truth is, they don't have a face.

Our situation is different. We have a hugely popular leadership at the national level and, at the state level, we have developed leaders from the cadre. In the past 12 months, in states like Odisha, Haryana and Maharashtra, we have won with collective leadership.

Q/All parties have promised sops for women. Are sops now intrinsic to Delhi?