BJP returning as largest party in Haryana is a big feat: PM

LUCKNOW: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed BJP’s performance in Maharashtra and Haryana, pointing out that the party had never led or returned a government to office in the western state and had usually been a bit player in the other.
Looking to settle the suspense over government formation in Haryana, Modi said BJP would re-dedicate itself to running the small but volatile state.“Usually, we had to accept whatever was offered to us. If we crossed 10 seats, it was a major achievement. Emerging as the largest party is very creditable,” he said, recalling his experience as a party functionary.
Modi’s praise for CM Manohar Lal Khattar, who he said had successfully walked a tightrope having a two-seat majority to begin with in 2014, makes it clear that the leader will continue to be the party’s nominee for the post.
The PM noted that both states were led by leaders who had not had much administrative experience and had nevertheless made their mark. “Manohar Lal Khattar and Devendra Fadnavis had no administrative experience before they took over as chief ministers in 2014. They were not even ministers in any government,” he said.
Modi said BJP had no majority on its own in Maharashtra and in Haryana, the lead was two seats. “However, both chief ministers were inclusive and performed honestly, which helped them win people’s confidence again,” he said while addressing party workers at the BJP headquarters.
The PM said though political pundits were busy analysing trends emerging from the two states, the victory in Haryana was unprecedented as return of a party after five years was rare in politics.
“In an atmosphere when governments are changing, BJP emerging as single largest party in the state is a huge feat,” Modi said, adding that the vote share in Haryana had increased to 36%.
BJP president and home minister Amit Shah emphasised that Haryana and Maharashtra were not traditional strongholds with BJP’s win in the 2014 Lok Sabha changing the situation. “Both CMs delivered corruption free governments and their return to office is people’s endorsement of their performance,” he said.
Modi also recalled BJP having to play junior partner to Shiv Sena in Maharashtra. “We used to be junior partner of Shiv Sena and gained some experience after working under them initially,” he said.
He said political stability in Mumbai — the commercial capital of the country, was integral to development of the nation. He said although BJP and Shiv Sena had contested the 2014 assembly polls independently, the mandate made it clear that they would have to work together following which the coalition government was formed and it won the mandate again with a smart margin.