UP election highlights: We were hopeful of 260 seats: Sunil Bansal, general secretary of BJP's UP unit
Samajwadi Party's goondagardi made people vote for the BJP, says Sunil Bansal, general secretary (organisation) in BJP's UP unit and one of the main progonists of the party's historic win in Uttar Pradesh. Bansal, who was dispatched to UP by party chief Amit Shah soon after the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, stayed in the BJP state headquarters for more than year to prepare the ground for the party. He spoke with ET about what this victory means for the BJP. Excerpts:
Who will you credit for this victory?
The trust that people have in the leadership of Narendra Modi, the strategy prepared by Amit Shah, and the work of the party workers on the ground have all contributed to this victory.
How do you view SP performance?
There was terrible unrest among the people due to 'goondagardi' under the SP rule. Due to this unrest, people have chosen to make BJP victorious.
Did you foresee BSP doing so bad?
BSP could not bring itself out as an effective organisation. Since it had not done anything for the people, not much enthusiasm was seen among the people towards it.
Do you see BSP breaking up now?
Nothing much is left of the party. It will get only 15-20 seats. Mayawati will probably not even be able to secure her seat.
Did you expect BJP to win so many seats?
We were expecting around 36% votes this time and were hoping we will get 260-280 seats. But the party has got massive support. We have not only done well in different regions but in almost all districts. We had prepared a strategy for each district and planned for every seat district wise. There was a specific plan constituency wise and ticket distribution was done on this basis.
Who will you credit for this victory?
The trust that people have in the leadership of Narendra Modi, the strategy prepared by Amit Shah, and the work of the party workers on the ground have all contributed to this victory.
How do you view SP performance?
There was terrible unrest among the people due to 'goondagardi' under the SP rule. Due to this unrest, people have chosen to make BJP victorious.
Did you foresee BSP doing so bad?
BSP could not bring itself out as an effective organisation. Since it had not done anything for the people, not much enthusiasm was seen among the people towards it.
Do you see BSP breaking up now?
Nothing much is left of the party. It will get only 15-20 seats. Mayawati will probably not even be able to secure her seat.
Did you expect BJP to win so many seats?
We were expecting around 36% votes this time and were hoping we will get 260-280 seats. But the party has got massive support. We have not only done well in different regions but in almost all districts. We had prepared a strategy for each district and planned for every seat district wise. There was a specific plan constituency wise and ticket distribution was done on this basis.
