New Delhi, Oct 24 (UNI) The trends in the elections in Maharashtra and Haryana and the party's performance in recent polls make it clear that the BJP has gained significant ground in these two states and have emerged in the 'forefront'.
"Prior to 2014, in both Haryana and Maharashtra, BJP was not in the forefront....But our vote shares have increased significantly in both the states," BJP spokesman Nalin Kohli said participating in a discussion on All India Radio.
He said in Haryana, prior to 2014, the BJP's vote share was around 10 per cent but it shot up to 32 per cent and the trends seemed to continue.
Similarly, he said in Maharashtra, the BJP which for long played second fiddle to the Shiv Sena, also emerged in the 'frontline' after 2014 and have managed to win about 27 per cent of vote share.
Answering questions, Mr Kohli said his party has always 'discarded' the politics of caste equations and have rather banked immensely on its performance and developmental plank.
"We do not follow this road map," he remarked.
The reference in significant as in both Haryana and Maharashtra, in the last five years - breaking the trend, BJP has given non-Jat leadership in Manohorlal Khattar and a Bahmin leadership in Devendra Fadnavis.
He also denied that during the campaign state's leadership were marginalised as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah dominated the scene.
"There is no personality clash in our party....all are committed to party's ideology and party programmes," Mr Kohli said.
UNI DEVN