Working on bringing new allies into our folds: BJP general secretary Ram Madhav

Amid the rising conflict within the NDA alliance, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav on Wednesday hinted at the party's efforts on bringing in new allies ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

In an interview to news agency ANI, Madhav admitted that certain smaller allies of the BJP have parted ways with the party.

He also added that BJP was now working on inducting new allies.

"Alliance politics is all about accommodation and adjustment and for that BJP is ready. It is true that certain smaller allies like Kushwaha have decided to leave us but we are working on bringing new allies into our fold especially in South India and Eastern India, " Madhav said.

NDA recently lost Upendra Kushwaha who pulled out from the alliance on December 10 and joined the mahagathbandhan in Bihar.

Chandrababu Naidu led Telugu Desam Party had earlier ended its alliance with the NDA in March.

Speaking about the recent victories of the Congress, Madhav said that though the party won the polls, the opposition was still not ready to accept Rahul Gandhi as its leader of the mahagathbandhan. Madhav said six leaders were there in the queue to become the prime minister.

"Rahul Gandhi is the leader of Congress. It's for them to decide if his leadership is beneficial to them or not. How can we comment on his leadership for Congress? He tried his electoral mettle in recent polls and brought some victories to Congress, there’s no doubt about it. If Rahul Gandhi could have been an option for PM candidate because of recent victories, then there would've been no need for Mahagathbandhan. Even today, no one, except Stalin, is ready to confirm the name of the leader of Mahagathbandhan. There are six people in queue to become PM".

Ram Madhav also hailed the BJP government for bringing in the Triple Talaq Bill. He said, "It's a historic decision of PM Modi’s government to bring this issue of gender justice and equality. Large sections of civil society including Muslims welcomed it, it's a boon for Muslim women. Matter is before Parliament,I’m sure there’ll be meaningful debate".

Speaking on the Ram Temple Madhav said, "Option of ordinance has always been there. But matter is right now in Supreme Court and it has given a date of January 4 to decide about next bench. We hoping SC will take it in fast-track way and conclude it early. If that’s not going to happen, we'll explore other options".