What do you think were the achievements of your government?

We provided a corruption-free, clean and active government. Since we outperformed all previous governments, the Opposition got jittery that it would no longer be able to paint the BJP as the villain responsible for all ills. As part of the conspiracy, false issues were created to malign us. But none of such issues like Vande Mataram, Saraswati Vandana, onion crisis, Bhagwat episode or even attacks on Christianshad any lasting impact on the people.

What is going to be the BJP's electoral strategy?

To highlight our achievements, including the unity of our coalition, and to expose contradictions within the Opposition.

Whom do you consider the BJP's principal rival?

Obviously the Congress. But they do not have anything to show or offer to the people. They pride themselves in continuance of a dynasty. But whatever the Nehru-Gandhi family invested in the freedom struggle, their inheritors have already got it back with interest. After exhausting the Swadeshi blood-sucking machine (Indira-Rajiv), the Congress is now using an imported machine (Sonia).

Do you think Sonia Gandhi's antecedents will be an election issue this time?

Certainly. Though the BJP will not stoop so low, but people themselves will raise questions. After all, what has been Sonia's contribution to the country? Can we allow a person to rule India who has taken citizenship only 15 years ago? A person who was ready toleave the country to settle with her family in Italy after the fall of the Congress government in 1977?

But now when Sonia is an Indian to the core, will such allegations make an impact on the people?

She did not acquire Indian citizenship willingly, for the sheer love of this country. She acquired it in 1983 when her husband had already joined active politics, was being projected as Indira Gandhi's political heir and her own nationality was being made a public issue. It was purely a political move bereft of any patriotic feelings. I bet such (an) issue resonates much more in rural areas than among the urban elite.

Irrespective of your allegations, the public by and large sees Sonia as a family member of Indira and Rajiv Gandhi.

Maybe yes. But then wasn't there a Kansa in Krishna's family or a Kaikeyi in Ram's family? Sonia is just like Kaikeyi while Maneka Gandhi is like Kaushalya (Ram's mother).

You have to praise Maneka because she is in your camp.

She joined us only shewas thrown out of the Gandhi household with bag and baggage with a small child in toe. Why didn't the Congress party adopt Maneka before she came down to us? She is 100 per cent Indian and belongs to the family revered by Congressmen. People will have to choose on whose chariot they will like to enter the new century -- Mother India or Mother Italy!

How many seats do you hope to win this time?

The BJP is likely to get a majority on its own. But we will still go for a coalition government.

What has been the response of the BJP's allies to your call for a common campaign and a common manifesto?

Most of them agreed while talks are still going on with some. But we hope everybody will have a joint campaign to enhance our unity.

Will you stick to the National Agenda for Governance (NAG) even if the BJP does not come to power this time?

There is no question of the BJP and allies not returning to power this time. The NAG basically is for governance. We will have to ponder whetherto continue with it if we sit in the Opposition.

The BJP's allies have always been opposed to your ideological friends like the RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal. Don't you anticipate their pressure when the VHP has unleashed its Hindu Agenda on poll eve?

We are not bound to accept all the advice of our friends and neither are they. They have never influenced any government decision. Hindu Agenda is the VHP's manifesto while the NAG is our manifesto. But if the VHP decided to support us in elections, can we stop them from helping us? They are only friends. Neither ideological police nor guardians.

How long will the BJP keep contentious issues like Article 370, Common Civil Code and Ayodhya temple out of its manifesto?

The issue of Rashtra Janmabhoomi (India or Italy) is dominating over Ram Janmabhoomi right now. We will have to sort out this issue before taking up others.

The BJP and allies are a conglomeration of several regional parties. Are you sure they too will adopt the NAG at thecost of their regional aspirations?

We hope most of them will contest on the NAG. They, however, will be free to take out their separate, supplementary manifestoes to cater to their regional demands, if need be. But at no point the two manifestoes will be at conflict with each other.

Are you sure the allies will share a platform with the BJP? They did not do this in the 1998 elections.

There is a lot of difference between 1998 and 1999 polls. We went to last year elections in a hurry, leaving a lot of things undecided. Now we would have worked together for almost one and a half years before going to polls. Obviously we have come closer spiritually as well.

Will the sympathy wave for Vajpayee last till September?Arre Bhai, it will last even till September next year. But this will not be the only electoral issue for the BJP.

Do you perceive some change in the Muslims' attitude towards the BJP?

Our 13-month rule has allayed fears that the BJP would hurt Muslims' interests.I represent a constituency where more than 50 per cent population is Muslim and their view point towards my party has undergone a radical change.

What is the reason for their change of views? Is it the bus to Lahore?

The Prime Minister travelled to Lahore in a bus to strengthen the country's relations with neighbours and not to appease Muslims. But one positive fallout of this journey has been that the feeling of all Muslims being Pakistanis has ebbed.