PM Modi: 'No anti-incumbency in UP, BJP wave in all five poll-bound states'

Illustration of PM Narendra Modi (Image: Moneycontrol)

There is "no-anti-incumbency wave" in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on February 9, a day before the start of the high-stake seven-phase assembly elections.

The Bharatiya Janata Party is experiencing a "wave" in its favour in all the five poll-bound states, Modi said, during an interview with news agency ANI.

In Uttar Pradesh - the state with around 20 crore voters electing 403 MLAs - the voters will endorse "our model of governance", Modi said.

"The party is not experiencing an anti-incumbency, but a pro-incumbency wave," he said, adding that the people "trust double-engine growth" and the track record of BJP's governance shows that it has "delivered on all promises".

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The prime minister, who has been involved in the BJP's electioneering programme, said he is witnessing an "inclination" towards the saffron party in the five poll-bound states - UP, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur.

"We will win the elections with a full majority. The people of all these five states will give BJP the opportunity to serve them," he said.

On farm laws and Lakhimpur Kheri incident

Modi, during the interview, reiterated that the Centre had brought the farm reform laws for the betterment of small-scale farmers, "but repealed them in the national interest".

On the retention of Union Minister of State Ajay Mishra Teni in the central government despite the Lakhimpuri case, the prime minister said the "state did not get in the way of Supreme Court probe".

Four farmers were mowed to death in UP's Lakhimpur Kheri on October 3 by a convoy, with Ashish Mishra, son of Teni, accused of driving one of the cars. The ruling BJP has so far evaded the demands for Teni's removal from the government.

"The state government gave its consent for whatever committee the Supreme Court wanted, for whichever judge the Supreme Court wanted for the probe. The state government is working transparently," the prime minister said.

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'Samajwadi Party's fake socialism to be rejected'

Targeting the Samajwadi Party, the BJP's key rival in Uttar Pradesh, Modi said the brand of socialism propagated by the party is "fake".

"When I talk of fake socialism, it is about dynasty politics. Can you see (Ram Manohar) Lohia ji's family in politics, George Fernandes' family or Nitish Kumar's family? They are socialists," Modi said.

"But on the other hand, I received a letter that pointed out that 45 people from one family held posts in the Samajwadi Party. This dynasticism is threat to democracy," he added.

'Goondaraj wiped out in UP'

The Yogi Adityanath-led government has wiped out gundaraj (rule of lawlessness) in Uttar Pradesh, Modi claimed, adding that this is one of the biggest factors that will go in favour of the party in the upcoming polls.

"When people discuss security in UP, they think of their troubles during previous governments, mafia raj, gunda raj, and the manner in which musclemen had a status and shelter in government. UP saw this from close quarters, women couldn't step out," Modi said.

"Today women say that they can step out even after dark. This trust is essential for security. There was a time in UP when goons could do anything they wanted, today they surrender. Yogi ji prioritised security and didn't compromise with it," Modi added.

UP to break jinx of rotating power

In Uttar Pradesh, the incumbent ruling party has been voted out of power in each election since 1989. According to Modi, the BJP will break the jinx of rotating power in this election.

"We won in 2014. We were then voted (to power) in 2017 and 2019. So the old theory (a party not repeating its victory in consecutive polls in UP) has been rejected by UP. They accepted us in 2014, 2017 and 2019. They will accept us in 2022 after seeing our work," he said.

Asked about the challenge posed by "two young leaders" - SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Jayant Chaudhary - Modi said a "similar alliance of two youngsters was defeated in 2017".

"In 2019, they also added 'bua' to their alliance but got defeated," the prime minister said, referring to the coalition of Yadav-led SP and Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) that was formed ahead of the last general elections.

'BJP trusted by common people in Punjab'

In Punjab, where the BJP is reportedly facing angst over the now-repealed farm laws, Modi said the party has "gained the trust of common people".

With support from veteran leaders like Captain Amarinder Singh and the efforts of common BJP workers, the party will perform well in the February 14 elections, he said.

On the incident involving his breach of security during his visit to Punjab's Ferozepur last month, the prime minister said, "I have maintained silence on the issue. Supreme Court is looking into the matter seriously. Any statement that I make in this regard will impact the investigation, and it is not right."

While Punjab will be voting in a single-phase on February 14, Uttar Pradesh - which is the most watched out state going to polls due to the 403 constituencies at state - will be contested in seven rounds, starting from tomorrow, February 10, and ending on March 7.

The BJP is currently heading the government in four of the poll-bound states - Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur. In Punjab, the party has been in opposition since 2017.