There’s respect for Hindi, Hindu, Hindustan, which’s why nobody is upset with BJP: Swatantra Dev Singh

On the minimum number of seats that the BJP will win

Our target is to cross 300 seats. We have leadership. At the Centre, we have Modi ji who is popular, and in the state, we have Yogi ji. The leaders are hardworking and serve people honestly which is why common people have accepted their policies and programmes. Labharthis (beneficiaries) and the poor have received benefits. There has been transparency and no corruption. All the Centre’s programmes have been passed down by the Yogi government apart from ensuring the fundamental requirements of good law and order.

On the farmers’ agitation and stray cattle menace

No protest has taken place in the last five years against the government. People could not understand the (farm) bill that was passed, even though it was beneficial for farmers. But it was withdrawn. Every farmer who was a little disappointed has turned positive today. He felt his problem was heard and the issues resolved. Today, all farmers are with the BJP.

On SP’s huge show of strength in rallies and leaders joining the SP

All his (Akhilesh Yadav’s) crowds consisted of his own workers. He did a yatra once in six days. He would send 3,000 cars to fetch people from all over the state who would follow him. BJP was carrying out six yatras simultaneously and it was doing 20 rallies a day along with many assemblies where leaders were participating. Our 300 seats are full. They have more than 300 seats empty. It is natural that they will try to break people off from other parties. But even we are seeing many joining our party from SP and BSP.

On the criticism that BJP uses religion to distract voters

Who started talking about Jinnah first? Who used the word chillambaaz? There is an honest CM who does not even attend his father’s last rites and you will call him chillambaaz? He serves the poor all night while you don’t even step outside the house. You compare Sardar Patel with Jinnah. Is this the way you run your politics? Ask them to find out if BJP has spread any riots in the last five years or harassed anyone on the basis of religion.

On Yogi’s ’80 versus 20′ statement

I do not think it was about any religion (Muslims form around 20% of the population). We work for the development of all. Be it Hindus, Muslims, Dalits – all get houses under the PM Awaas scheme. But those spreading violence, who don’t have love for the poor, who spread goondaism and resort to rioting, those 15-20% not affiliated to any religion or caste, will obviously get hurt. Why would we attack a religion? There are respected people, intellectuals and cultured people in every religion. But some people are bad. People who support terrorism or Naxalism – those who are anti-nationals and raise slogans like those raised in JNU – such people should be opposed.

On the alleged Brahmin resentment with the BJP

In UP, there is a caste scenario but all sections of society want their faith respected, that the temple be built, that the Vishwanath corridor and Maa Vindhyavasini corridor be built. There is respect for Hindi, Hindu, Hindustan, which is why nobody is going to be upset with the BJP. It is the party of the people. It is not a trust. Anybody from any caste can lead it.