"The Centre's performance during its over-two-years rule has been very good. An honest government has been doing its job. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi enjoys a tall image.
"Therefore, the SAD-BJP combine will fight the Punjab polls on the basis of the performance and achievements of both the governments (Centre and Punjab)," he told reporters here.
Prodded further on the 'fourth front', he said, "I do not think there is any need to comment on this. He (Sidhu) has chosen his path, good luck to him. When someone chalks out his own course, it is a conscious decision. The party (BJP) is very strong in its pockets of influence."
Asked why the party was not taking any action against Amritsar East MLA and Sidhu's wife Navjot Kaur, who continues to be critical of (BJP's alliance partner) the Akalis in Punjab, Jaitley said, "She has to decide her own line of action which now seems quite obvious. This is a transitional phase. She will decide what course she has to follow."
The Union Finance Minister rubbished allegations that "political persons" were being shielded in the multi-crore drug racket issue in Punjab as "baseless".
Asked about Union minister Nitin Gadkari's recent remarks in the context of 'achhe din', he said, "I am of the belief that the country's situation is much better on every front than what was witnessed during the previous Congress rule. Our economic situation is better, governance is better and because of this, Modi and the government have been popular."
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content