BJP faces challenge from united opposition: Venkaiah Naidu

Hyderabad, Feb 15 (IANS) BJP's political opponents are coming together in the wake of its defeat in Delhi elections and the party will have to prepare itself to face this challenge, said union minister M. Venkaiah Naidu Sunday.

"The lesson for BJP is that there is a possibility of its rivals coming together. It has to expand its base," he told reporters here Sunday.

Naidu said the Delhi verdict also show that the electoral fights in future may not be three-cornered or four-cornered. "BJP has to be prepared for a direct fight. It's a challenge and we accept it," he said.

"The corrupt, communal, communist and casteist elements are all joining together against the BJP. We have to prepare ourselves to face this challenge," he added.

While admitting that the Delhi results were aundoubtedly a setback for the Bharatiya Janata Party, he claimed that its base remained intact, and also disagreed that the Modi magic is on wane.

"India elects Delhi. Delhi doesn't elect India. This simple truth has to be understood by everyone. There is national demand for good governance that is why people have chosen Modi for the nation and Kejriwal for the region. We respect their judgment," he said.

Naidu said BJP polled two percent more votes compared to 2013 elections but the number of seats fell drastically as all other national and regional parties lost their base and 22 percent of their votes shifted to Aam Admi Party (AAP).

The BJP leader alleged that opposition parties were trying to draw vicarious satisfaction from the fact that the party could not win eighth state in a row.

He pointed out that even in the seven states that BJP won, it polled less votes in assembly elections than in Lok Sabha polls. "The parliament vote was for Modi and assembly vote for states. People felt Modi is suitable for national and Kejriwal for regional," he said.

"Modi versus Kejriwal narrative failed. What stands up much better is Modi plus Kejriwal narrative. Both are seen as strong leaders who will fight corruption," he said.

Naidu also noted that in the election for the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, Kejriwal lost to Modi.

"If AAP is such popular, it disastrously failed in all states in the parliamentary election and also failed miserably in assembly election in Haryana. APP appeal is regional," he added.