No vacancy for prime minister's post in 2019: Naqvi

Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

"That is why the prime minister requested all political parties to think about it."  Some political parties have responded positively, some have not, he said. "I feel in the interest of democracy and the country, it is necessary that simultaneous elections are held. But for that you require consensus among the political parties," he said. To a question on alleged fear among minorities, Naqvi said, "Unfortunately some political forces are trying to disturb the agenda of development, peace, and prosperity." 

Listing out the government's welfare schemes, he said in the last four years, the Centre has distributed scholarships worth Rs 2.66 crore to minorities, of which more than 50 percent was meant for girls. On the employment front for minorities, he said, the government has provided jobs to 5.43 lakh people and created employment opportunities in the last four years.

To a question on if the BJP would continue its tie-up with other NDA partners in the 2019 elections, Naqvi said the BJP is honest to the alliance and committed towards it. "In 2014, we had the full mandate and numbers. But we formed the government with the alliance partners. Even today, we are honest to the alliance and we are committed to it," he added.