Piyush Goyal: For each plan, Modi has a clear blueprint

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In an interview to The Economic Times, Piyush Goyal, the BJP’s National Treasurer said the poll scene will alter significantly once Narendra Modi steps up his campaign.

Some worth noting points from the interview:

On an absolute majority

These opinion polls reflect the current mood which is destined to change drastically in many states once Modi starts campaigning. He has so far done only one rally in Maharashtra. There are many states that he hasn’t really covered so far. His campaign, once it is completed over the next few months, will ensure that the NDA wins more than 272 seats very comfortably. Wait and watch. It could even be a landslide.

On threat from AAP

AAP is anarchic to the core and voters of this country are wise and they will reject that new party. Besides, you may have noticed that AAP is expected to eat into the Congress’s vote base, not ours.

On Mr. Modi’s promises

Modi does not believe in making promises and then failing. In Gujarat, he has succeeded in every plan without cost and time overruns. In fact, the success of the Sabarmati waterfront project is proof of his abilities in executing projects.

On Mr. Modi’s plans

Nothing was hypothetical. For each plan, he has a clear blueprint. He also has a clear funding pattern. Building mega cities – which Modiji referred to – is a project conceived when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was in power. Don’t forget that the NDA has a history of coming up with such massive projects. Our idea of SEZs, for instance, was large economic zones that were meant to become export hubs, tourist hubs, etc.

A country that had made sovereign promises – that these SEZs will get certain tax benefits – reneged on them. So, first the UPA misused the policy, then killed it, and the whole world was laughing at India. So plans are all good and may be similar, but it is execution that counts. And Modi is committed to doing that.

On national gas grid

Gujarat has created a gas pipeline grid. Instead of troubling the people with a cap on LPG cylinders they can use, we believe every town can be connected through a gas grid. And then we will use gas cylinders in the villages at subsidised rates.

On price stabilisation fund

He (Mr. Modi) would have immediately procured onions from anywhere in the world using the price stabilisation fund. The mere announcement would have made hoarders bring out all the onions into the market.

On FDI

I cannot fully answer that question, but we are out and out against FDI in multi-brand retail which will hurt small traders. In fact, the manifesto will spell out specific plans to improve ties between the government and small businessmen, small retailers and traders to make their lives easier.

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