Gujarat Election Result 2017 - A Chat With BJP Spokesperson Nalin Kohli

As the BJP takes a comfortable lead of 110 seats out of a total 182, NDTV speaks with BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli, who, as always, is seen smiling. In a brief chat with NDTV, Mr Kohli spoke about a the BJP's campaign in Gujarat, as well as missing the expectation of party chief Amit Shah, who targetted 150 seats for the BJP. He also speaks about PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi and Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, who had called the prime minister "neech".



Here are the highlights of what Nalin Kohli said about the Gujarat Election result 2017:

NDTV: Leads suggest a win for the BJP, but with a lesser margin than 2012. Would you consider this a setback?



Nalin Kohli: How can a victory be a setback. If you are in power non-stop since 1998, a victory can be anything but a setback. It's a setback for those who claimed they will form govt but lost yet again.



NDTV: But Amit Shah had targeted nothing less than 150 seats for the BJP?



Nalin Kohli: Amit Shah ji is the party chief, he will always set the bar high and push the party workers to ensure that the BJP get the highest numbers possible. There can always be a scenario where we miss that mark. But to call it a setback would not be correct.



NDTV: The campaign in Gujarat saw a very bitter end, especially with allegations against former prime minister Manmohan Singh. That you'd agree is certainly not par for the course.



Nalin Kohli: The campaigns for both parties were aggressive. While you question us on some of what was said, you must also note that what the Congress said on multiple occasions for PM Modi and BJP were also nothing to be proud of. If you use words like "neech", you are no one to set a benchmark.



NDTV: Now that the election is over in Gujarat, would you send a box of sweets to Mani Shankar Aiyar?



Nalin Kohli: Haha.. I wouldn't personally send sweets to Mr Aiyar, but if anyone does, we would not hold a grudge against him for enjoying some sweets.



