Hyderabad, Feb 15
BJP's political opponents are coming together in the wake of its defeat in Delhi elections and the party will have to prepare itself to face this challenge, said union minister M. Venkaiah Naidu Sunday.

"The lesson for BJP is that there is a possibility of its rivals coming together. It has to expand its base," he told reporters here Sunday.

Naidu said the Delhi verdict also show that the electoral fights in future may not be three-cornered or four-cornered. "BJP has to be prepared for a direct fight. It's a challenge and we accept it," he said.

"The corrupt, communal, communist and casteist elements are all joining together against the BJP. We have to prepare ourselves to face this challenge," he added.

While admitting that the Delhi results were aundoubtedly a setback for the Bharatiya Janata Party, he claimed that its base remained intact, and also disagreed that the Modi magic is on wane.

"India elects Delhi. Delhi doesn't elect India. This simple truth has to be understood by everyone. There is national demand for good governance that is why people have chosen Modi for the nation and Kejriwal for the region. We respect their judgment," he said.

Naidu said BJP polled two percent more votes compared to 2013 elections but the number of seats fell drastically as all other national and regional parties lost their base and 22 percent of their votes shifted to Aam Admi Party (AAP).

The BJP leader alleged that opposition parties were trying to draw vicarious satisfaction from the fact that the party could not win eighth state in a row.

He pointed out that even in the seven states that BJP won, it polled less votes in assembly elections than in Lok Sabha polls. "The parliament vote was for Modi and assembly vote for states. People felt Modi is suitable for national and Kejriwal for regional," he said.

"Modi versus Kejriwal narrative failed. What stands up much better is Modi plus Kejriwal narrative. Both are seen as strong leaders who will fight corruption," he said.

Naidu also noted that in the election for the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, Kejriwal lost to Modi.

"If AAP is such popular, it disastrously failed in all states in the parliamentary election and also failed miserably in assembly election in Haryana. APP appeal is regional," he added.

Modi has no role in Bihar political crisis: Venkaiah Naidu

The central government or Prime Minister Narendra Modi has no role in the political crisis in Bihar, said union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu Sunday.

He told reporters here that the crisis arose due to infighting in Janata Dal-United. "There was already a war going on in Janata parivar. They are divided and not united," he said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party leader alleged that JD-U Nitish Kumar was blaming Modi for his own failures.

"Who asked you (Nitish) to resign from the chief minister's post and who asked you to make Jitan Ram Manjhi the chief minister, and why are you asking him to resign now," he said.

Naidu also denied that the central government has any role in fixing Feb 20 as the day when Manjhi will face the trust vote in the assembly. He said the decision to convene the assembly was taken 12 days ago and the governor decided to hold the exercise on that day.

"If you have the numbers, prove it on the floor of the house. Why this drama of calling MLAs to Delhi (for parading them before president)," asked Naidu.

He also criticized JD-U for first staking claim to form the government and later seeking the status of main opposition party.

Naidu also denied that there is any proposal to invite Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) to join BJP-led NDA government. "These are mere speculations. The BJP and TRS are different parties," he said.

He also hinted at the possibility of introducing amendments to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act in the ensuing budget session of parliament. He, however, said this would be done only after reaching a broad consensus with the governments of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Naidu said special status to Andhra Pradesh was under the consideration of the central government. Admitting that it is no easy task, the minister said the central government was trying to overcome the hiccups.