BJP Will Repeat It’s Feat: Defence Min Rajnath

Lucknow, Feb 23: Defence Minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh on Wednesday exuded confidence that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will repeat its 2017 feat or even expand its numbers in the Uttar Pradesh and will definitely cross the 300-mark in the 403-seat Assembly. Talking to the media after casting his vote here, Singh said, “The success which the party received in 2017 polls, it will get a more or less similar number of seats this time as well.

There might be a difference of one or two seats, but the party will achieve similar success this time as well. The party will get 300 plus seats.” Refusing to comment on Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav’s remarks that 85 per cent people were with his party, he said, “In previous elections there was an alliance between SP and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and it was considered strong. Similar claims were made at that time as well, but BJP achieved great success.” He said that good governance and development were the two main issues dominating the 2022 polls. “People of UP are much aware politically and good governance and development are two major issues before them. They know very well that BJP tops on both the fronts,” he said.

Following only around 9 per cent polling in first two hours across the 59 seats, with Lucknow having the lowest percentage just above 8, the Union Minister appealed to people to vote in large numbers. “In democracy ‘matdaan’ (voting) is the biggest ‘daan’ (donation). Therefore it’s necessary that people become more aware of voting. I appeal to all the voters to vote in maximum numbers,” he said.