Acknowledging that the number of seats for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) may come down, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan on Monday, however, exuded confidence that the NDA under Prime Minister Narendra Modi will get another term.
Speaking to reporters here, the Union Minister said the country is in need of a strong government and a strong leader. “Mr. Modi has not only proved to be a strong leader, but has also provided a stable government. People will give him another chance. The Mahaghatbandan has no clarity as to who will be their prime ministerial candidate. I don’t think people will support the alliance,” he said. He also said that the Congress had a reputation of ruining coalitions by withdrawing support.
Regarding the Ayodhya dispute, Mr. Paswan said the government will wait for the Supreme Court verdict, and that there is no confusion on it. Since the Prime Minister has informed the Parliament that the government would wait for the court’s verdict, and there is no question of an or
dinance being promulgated.
On the Bharat Ratna being conferred on former President Pranab Mukherjee, Mr. Paswan said there was no need for it to become controversial since the award has been announced by the government and not BJP or RSS. Some are saying that Mr. Mukherjee had been given the award as he attended at event organised by the RSS, he said. “Is this an issue? In the past also, many top Congress leaders have attended RSS events,” Mr. Paswan added.
