‘Hindus won’t trust Cong on Indo-Pak dialogue’

• Many believe that crowds don’t necessarily get translated into votes…

I wish to tell them that had this been the case, we would not have been increasing our strength since 1990.

• How do you explain the crowds in Kerala and TN?

The response is due to prevailing mood in favour of NDA throughout the country. The question is not whether BJP is strong in an area. There is nation-wide feel that we have provided a good government and India, under Vajpayeeji leadership of , is marching forward.

• If you are so confident, why are you inducting filmstars and politicians…

Nobody is inducting them — they are coming to us. The way people in the pre-1947 phase wanted to join the Congress, everybody wants to join the BJP now.

• There’s also suggestion that you have undertaken the yatra to overshadow Vajpayeeji.

There have been consistent attempts to drive a wedge between me and Vajpayeeji. Nothing has happened. These would not succeed.

• You have a hardliner’s image. It’s an asset or handicap?

I have no particular problem with this image. However, the question is whether one’s image is different from the truth. I have been given the hardliner’s image by my adversaries and the English media.

• What of on Hindutva?

We talk of the Hindutva of Swami Vivekananda and Paramhans. Anybody who is familiar with their teachings would know it wasn’t communal. Fifteen years ago, when some party workers at Jaipur raised the slogan ‘Jo Hindu hit ki baat karega, wahi desh per raaj karega’, I told them to instead chant Jo rashtra-hit ki baat karega… We are committed to the interest of our people, though you do have people who are not committed to the interests of 82 pc. There are some who are committed to just Brahmins, Yadavs…

• Do you foresee a real solution to Indo-Pak issues?

A solution is possible but not easy. There is a change in Pakistan’s attitude. The BJP alone can find a solution to problems with Pakistan because Hindus will never think that whatever we have done can be a sell-off. The Congress can never do this because Hindus will not trust it. After all, US relations with China got normal only when a pro-Formosa and pro-Israel Nixon became its President.

• There is a perceptible sense of discomfort within your Parivar over Indo-Pak dialogue…

It is not so. It was even suggested that I was against the cricket match. Our only worry was that it would affect election campaign.