Prime Minister Narendra Modi exuded confidence about BJP’s prospects in UP, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur, saying the party will get “full majority” in all the contests. “I have seen in all these states an inclination towards BJP,” he said in an interview. Asked whether a positive outcome would be seen as a referendum on his popularity as he is the lead campaigner, Modi said, “BJP believes in collective leadership. It will be a referendum on our performance, intent and conduct”.
The PM strongly supported UP CM Yogi Adityanath, including the latter’s “extra-legal” approach towards law and order, and denied that the state government has been shielding controversial Union minister Ajay Mishra over the killing of farmers during the agitation.
PM Modi justified his own dramatic decision to recall the three controversial agricultural reform laws. “I had said that in my address also that I was withdrawing the three laws in national interest. Future events will explain why doing so had become necessary,” said the PM when asked whether the retreat marked a personal setback.
He did not agree with the suggestion that being incumbent could hurt BJP in UP, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur. "Wherever BJP got the opportunity to work with stability, there is environment of 'pro-incumbency' instead of 'anti-incumbency'. BJP always emerges victoriously with 'pro-incumbency' in elections," Modi said.
He said the people of Uttar Pradesh have already thrown away the old theory of 'ek bar aao, ek bar jao' (come to power once and then go). "BJP has itself experienced that since 2014. People saw our government's work and we again got elected in 2017 (assembly) and similarly in 2019 (Lok Sabha polls) as well. Now in 2022, they will see our work and again accept us," PM Modi added.
