BJP National Vice President and Delhi BJP’s election in-charge, Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda, spoke to The Sunday Guardian.
NEW DELHI: In an exclusive and candid interaction with The Sunday Guardian, BJP National Vice President and Delhi BJP’s election in-charge, Baijayant “Jay” Panda, spoke on multiple issues including why he believes BJP is winning in Delhi this time, the absence of a CM face and how BJP intends to tackle pollution and the polluted Yamuna.
Q: Have you been able to identify what are the weaknesses of the BJP that have kept it out of power since 1993?
A: The issue is actually different because the BJP has consistently grown stronger over the years, even though we haven’t formed the government in Delhi since the 1990s. Historically, we used to govern Delhi with about 32% of the vote share. However, our vote share has steadily increased since then. In the last Vidhan Sabha elections, we secured 38%, and in the Municipal Council elections two years ago, we achieved 40%. This marks significant progress. Unfortunately, other parties, with their freebie-driven models, have mismanaged Delhi’s resources and led it into economic difficulties. The AAP, in particular, has been involved in massive scams, including thousands of crores in the Delhi Jal Board and severe mismanagement in the DTC, which operates with only a third of the buses it needs. Their focus is neither on Delhi’s future nor on Bharat’s progress. However, the BJP has developed strategies to counter these issues effectively. Nationally, our recent track record has been excellent. Over the past year, we have won most of the states we contested, including states like Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Haryana, and Maharashtra, where no one expected us to succeed. The same determination and strategies are being implemented in Delhi, and we are confident that the people of Delhi will bless us with their support, allowing us to form the government this time.
Q: With the BJP’s vote share in the recent Delhi elections consistently ranging between 32-38%, what measures is the party taking to boost this percentage?
A: As I mentioned, our vote share in Delhi has grown steadily, from 32% in the 1990s to 38% in the 2020 Vidhan Sabha elections, and 40% in the 2022 MCD elections. Meanwhile, the AAP’s vote share dropped to 42% in the MCD elections, leaving a gap of only 2-3%. In the Lok Sabha elections, we have consistently received over 55% of the vote, thanks to Prime Minister Modi’s immense popularity. Locally, we have already caught up to the AAP, and this time, we are confident of surpassing them. Our track record proves this, and the results will reflect it.
Q: Do you think that BJP being an older party and a larger party it should strive to maintain the standard of public discourse? Something which people like Ramesh Bidhuri have repeatedly has failed to adhere to? Will the BJP take any action against Bidhuri for his remarks about Atishi Singh and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra?
A: The BJP is a party that respects all sections of society, especially women. Prime Minister Modi has done unparalleled work for women’s welfare and empowerment, focusing tirelessly on their upliftment. Occasionally, some individuals may make inappropriate remarks, but the party takes a strong stance against such behaviour. Regarding the incident you mentioned, the individual has already expressed regret and clarified that it was unintentional. Once someone has apologized, there is no need to dwell on the issue. Those who continue to do so are politically motivated. Critics, especially Congress, should examine their own history. Congress leaders have repeatedly made derogatory remarks about women, with some even engaging in public misconduct. The AAP, too, has a poor record on women’s issues. For instance, their woman Chief Minister was dismissed as “temporary” by their leader—an outright insult to women. The BJP, with its zero-tolerance policy, urges other parties to introspect and address their internal issues, just as we do.
Q: What are the key issues and agendas the BJP plans to highlight during its campaign for the Delhi Assembly elections?
A: Look, Delhi has been left behind in development. Over the past decade, under Modiji’s leadership, Bharat has reached new heights, becoming the fifth-largest economy and on track to becoming the third-largest. India’s global influence and respect have grown tremendously, and the rest of the country has witnessed remarkable development. States with double-engine governments, like in the Northeast, Odisha, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, have grown rapidly, taking full advantage of Modiji’s focus on neglected areas and inclusive growth. However, Delhi doesn’t reflect its status as the capital of the world’s fifth-largest economy. Instead of being a global showcase, it is in a dire state. The roads are poorly maintained, the water supply is undrinkable, and pollution levels are unbearable. AAP leaders have made fake promises for 10 years without delivering results. The pollution has made Delhi unliveable, affecting everyone, particularly the poor, who have to buy water from tanker mafias or bottled water. Repeated promises to clean the Yamuna remain unfulfilled despite thousands of crores in funds from the Modi government. They’ve squandered or misused this money, and their inaction on cleaning up pollution is evident as they have not allocated funds to the pollution board. Their failures are clear, and the people of Delhi are angry. They are demanding change and development, which the BJP has demonstrated across the country. Delhi deserves the same progress.
Q: Has PM Modi given any specific instructions regarding the polls?
A: The Prime Minister’s vision for a Viksit Bharat includes a Viksit Delhi. Recently, he inaugurated significant transport projects like the RRTS rail link, an example of the transformative development Delhi needs. Public transport in Delhi is in a shambles, with DTC operating at just one-third of its required capacity, causing massive congestion on the streets as private vehicles dominate the roads. The Prime Minister is committed to making Delhi a developed city and eliminating the disaster that has plagued it over the last decade under AAP’s rule.
Q: How does the BJP address opposition allegations regarding voter name deletions and cash-for-vote claims in Delhi?
A: This is a question of “ulta chor kotwal par arop lagaye.” It is a case of the guilty blaming others. AAP’s panic is evident because their deceit has been exposed. From 2014 to 2024, they added a vast number of suspicious entries to the voter rolls. Many of these were fraudulent, with first-time voters listed as 65 or 80 years old—a clear anomaly, as first-time voters are typically in their 20s. AAP’s approach to the voter list is similar to their stance on EVMs—if they win, everything is fine; if they lose, they claim the system is flawed. The BJP, with the help of its dedicated karyakartas, has ensured proper verification of voter lists, but ultimately, it is the Election Commission’s responsibility to validate the data. Duplicate entries, such as voters with the same name, father’s name, and age, raise suspicions. The Election Commission provides notices and ample opportunity to prove legitimacy. However, AAP’s inability to justify these anomalies exposes their wrongdoing. The Election Commission recently addressed these concerns in detail during a national press conference, debunking AAP’s baseless allegations. Their desperation stems from the realisation that their scams have been uncovered, and defeat is inevitable. They can see their loss approaching, and their baseless accusations are a reflection of their fear.
Q: What impact will the Sheesh Mahal issue play in this election and why?
A: The Sheesh Mahal issue has become a significant symbol of the fraudulence of the AAP leadership, and their panicked reactions reflect this. The AAP leader, who once swore on his children and promised the people of Delhi that he would live in a modest two-bedroom flat and avoid VVIP culture, spent Rs 75 crore of public money on extravagant renovations. These include gold-plated washbasins, a luxury toilet costing millions, expensive curtains, dozens of Bose speakers and televisions, and even a bar—all at government expense. While the people of Delhi struggle with undrinkable water, this leader lives like a billionaire. This has exposed their deception, as they’ve misled the people of Delhi with freebie promises. The public is now angry. The supposed “free” water is not drinkable, and the same leadership is embroiled in multiple scams, such as the liquor scam, has seen its leaders spend months in jail. The Sheesh Mahal is proof of their corruption, and Delhiites are demanding accountability and change.
Q: There are reports suggesting that the BJP might not project a CM face. Is this because of the lack of a popular face or due to infighting?
A: This is a narrative that the Aapda people are trying to project. AAP is attempting to shift the narrative, but BJP’s strategy remains consistent. Over the last decade, under Modiji’s immensely popular leadership—recognized as the world’s most popular leader—we have built a robust system of collective leadership, both nationally and at the state level. Whether it’s Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Maharashtra, or Gujarat, BJP has consistently won with this model. The same approach is being followed in Delhi, where our vote share has steadily increased, and we’ve now surpassed AAP. Aam Aadmi Party, however, avoids addressing real issues like poor roads, severe pollution, undrinkable water, and their unfulfilled promises to clean the Yamuna. Instead, they attempt to distract with new narratives. But the people of Delhi know that BJP, as the world’s largest political party, operates democratically and delivers results. We are a party where any ordinary karyakarta can rise to the top—our Prime Minister is a prime example of this, having risen from being a tea seller to leading the nation for three consecutive terms. Our karyakartas are inspired by this democratic structure, which contrasts sharply with AAP’s politics of money, corruption, and broken promises.
Q: Is the BJP planning to introduce women-centric schemes in Delhi, similar to initiatives launched in states like Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh?
A: Without any doubt, yes. Look, another false narrative that the AAP is promoting in Delhi is the scare tactic that BJP will end welfare schemes if elected. The Prime Minister has been unequivocal in stating that no public-benefit schemes will be stopped under BJP’s governance. Instead, we will expand them. The BJP runs the world’s largest welfare programs, such as the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, the largest food assistance program, and Ayushman Bharat, the largest healthcare scheme, which AAP has refused to implement in Delhi for political reasons, despite receiving thousands of crores from the Central government. Similarly, the BJP has launched women-centric initiatives in other states, such as the Ladli Behen DBT (direct benefits transfer) Assistance program in Madhya Pradesh and the Subhadra Yojana in Odisha, and we are committed to introducing similar programs in Delhi. AAP, on the other hand, has made empty promises, as seen in Punjab, where similar pledges from two years ago remain unfulfilled. They have mismanaged Delhi’s economy, running it into a deficit, which prevents them from delivering on their promises. Adding to this, AAP has launched another questionable scheme, collecting personal and banking details of women under false pretences. This is both illegal and unethical. The Delhi government has even issued advertisements stating that no such scheme exists, further exposing AAP’s dishonesty. BJP, in contrast, will implement welfare programs without corruption and ensure that benefits are delivered directly to the people.
Q: What is the current seat-sharing arrangement within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Delhi, and how many seats does the BJP plan to contest?
A: Look, this is not a topic for public discussion. In Delhi, among the NDA parties, it is the BJP that truly has a grassroots presence. Other NDA partners don’t actively operate at the ground level in Delhi. However, this is not something we openly discuss. The situation will become clear when the tickets are announced. Who demands what is a separate matter, but it remains a fact that the BJP is the only NDA party with a strong organisational network across Delhi.
Q: Does the BJP have any concrete plan to tackle the problem of pollution, traffic jams, and making the Yamuna clean?
A: Indeed, taking inspiration from what Prime Minister Modi achieved in Gujarat as Chief Minister. The Sabarmati riverfront is now a world-class development. Similarly, we are transforming other BJP-led states, such as the work being done on the Brahmaputra River in Assam. Meanwhile, the AAP government in Delhi has wasted or misappropriated thousands of crores on unfulfilled promises to clean the Yamuna. Once the BJP comes to power in Delhi, we will clean the Yamuna effectively. Regarding pollution, BJP-led cities like Indore and Bhubaneswar are some of the cleanest in the country. We will replicate this success in Delhi. The lack of proper infrastructure development over the last decade has left Delhi’s roads in disrepair, making the city look far from worthy of being the capital of the world’s fifth-largest economy. Recently, the Prime Minister launched several mass transit and infrastructure programs, signalling a strong commitment to improving Delhi. The problem lies in the constant conflict created by the current government. Instead of utilising funds efficiently, AAP leaders look for excuses and engage in political fights. Once Delhi gets conflict-free governance under BJP, double-engine growth will bring rapid and transformative development to the city.
Q: This is the last election under J.P. Nadda. How would you describe his tenure?
A: J.P. Nadda has had a stellar tenure as BJP President, marked by a string of victories across the country. Over the years, the BJP has been led by exceptional leaders who have strengthened the party and made it the world’s largest political organisation with crores of dedicated karyakartas. In the past decade, under Amit Shahji’s leadership, the party adopted modern systems, strategies, and technologies, a vision that Naddaji has further advanced during his tenure. The results are evident. In the past 12 months alone, BJP has secured victories in several states where no one thought we stood a chance. Winning Delhi will be the crowning achievement of this phase, and we are confident that the people of Delhi will bless BJP with their support.