Modi's popularity will boost prospects in Assembly polls: BJP

With the Election Commission announcing the poll schedule in five states, BJP today said though local issues will dominate these elections, the popularity of Narendra Modi will definitely boost the party's prospects.
Asked if these elections will be a test of BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's acceptability and popularity, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said, "Modi is undoubtedly the most popular leader in the country. All surveys indicate this. We will definitely get the advantage of this in the polls."
He was talking to reporters soon after the announcement of Assembly poll schedule in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Mizoram.

To a question on whether these elections are a semi-final ahead of the Lok Sabha polls due in 2014, he said, "These are state elections where state issues will be in the forefront. But national issues will also have a bearing on the polls."
Modi is expected to be the star campaigner for the party in the four states where BJP has high stakes.
"BJP is enthusiastic and determined to perform well in the elections in these states. The atmosphere prevailing in the country is in favour of the party," Trivedi said.
He claimed that the good performance of BJP governments in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh will help it retain power in those states while the anti-incumbency factor against Congress governments in Rajasthan and Delhi will contribute to the saffron party's victory.

"We will form the government in four states and will perform well in Mizoram," Trivedi said.