Patna: Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said the BJP was in no "danger" of losing Gujarat in the Assembly polls. "You must understand people's sentiments in Gujarat," Nitish said. "The Prime Minister hails from there. The people will not vote against the party. I don't think there is any danger to the BJP there."

Nitish was speaking on the sidelines of his Lok Samvad. "I had predicted the results of the Uttar Pradesh elections long before they took place and was proved correct. Now you will see the same happen in Gujarat, too," Nitish said.

On the Congress, which seems to be pulling all stops to counter the BJP, Nitish said: "My personal understanding is the BJP will definitely achieve very good success in Gujarat." But he skirted questions on Rahul Gandhi, who has been actively taking on the BJP on the Goods and Services Tax (GST), demonetisation, farmers' plight and others in his campaign in Gujarat and elsewhere. "I have seen him (Rahul) in action for long. I'm not aware of any new aspect that is being pointed out."

He also wondered if Rahul's stock was rising. "You all saw how his stock rose when he tore up the ordinance (on convicted politicians)," Nitish said. "But then it went down because of his decisions. It's going up again and I'll see where it goes after the Gujarat polls. It is all in the hands of the media."

Nitish's words should serve like a balm to the BJP, which is battling a revolt by sections of the Patidar community over quota while the Congress is trying hard to wean them to its side. Even though Nitish left the Grand Alliance to return to the NDA in July, the JDU has decided to contest the Gujarat Assembly polls on its own from a handful of seats.

Nitish refused to dub the Gujarat polls as semi-finals, saying polls are held in some state every year and journalists try and project them as semi-finals. "This situation will continue till Parliament, Assembly and local body elections are held simultaneously. But it is not possible immediately. Consultation with political parties, debate and changes in Constitutional provisions are required," he said.

He said all elections were held together till 1967 after which mid-term polls set in.

Once simultaneous polls are held, it will give governments four-and-a-half years to work, he said.