Mumbai. Piyush Goyal is one of those BJP leaders who has seen the BJP grow since its Jansangh era. He is also a witness to the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, as the first electoral agreement between the BJP-Shiv Sena was sealed in 1984 at his Sion home between the then BJP president late Atal Bihari Vajpayee and late Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray.Goyal, a chartered accountant by profession, is one of the trusted aides of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. 59-year-old Union Commerce and Industry Minister Goyal is contesting the Lok Sabha election from North Mumbai. He says that India will witness amazing all-round development in Modi's third term as Prime Minister. Presented here are excerpts from the conversation.

Question - How is your election campaign going? Popular leaders like Ram Naik and Gopal Shetty have been elected from the North Mumbai seat.

Answer - I was born in a BJP family. My father late Vedprakash Goyal was a Rajya Sabha member and Union Minister. While my mother late Chandrakanta Goyal was a three-time MLA from Matunga. I have learned a lot from Ram Bhau. He has been a very senior and very systematic leader. On the other hand, I have also worked with the current MP Gopal Shetty. In fact, I enjoy a family relationship with both of them. Both are helping me. As far as North Mumbai is concerned, our aim is to make 'North Mumbai' 'Uttam Mumbai'.

Q. Your residence in Sion, Mumbai has been witness to many important political events.

Answer - Yes. Vajpayee ji used to stay at our house whenever he came to Mumbai. In fact, the formal electoral alliance between BJP and Shiv Sena was sealed at my residence. Late Bala Saheb Thackeray came to our house to meet Vajpayee ji. When things were finalised, both of them went to Shivaji Park and made the announcement. Then Shiv Sena contested on two Lok Sabha seats on BJP's election symbol lotus. I have also been working for BJP since the beginning.

Question – How did relations with Shiv Sena go wrong?

Answer - When Uddhav Thackeray betrayed the BJP and joined hands with Sharad Pawar-led NCP and Congress, he deviated from Balasaheb's principles and ideology. This was unfortunate. However, Eknath Shinde has remained firm on Balasaheb's principles. That is why BJP's alliance with him is continuing.

Question - It is being said that after the split of the parties of Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar, the sympathy wave is with them. How much truth is there in this fact?

Answer - This is just a claim. There is no tax on making a claim. They can claim anything. The fact is that people have seen Modi's work. People are seeing how India has changed in the last 10 years. People who are with us in Maharashtra and other places in the country have also seen Modi's work.

Question - Recently in Maharashtra itself, the Prime Minister had said that a blueprint for the next 100 days after the new government takes charge has been prepared.

Answer - Modi is going to win the election with a record majority. He is sure to become the Prime Minister for the third time. Once he takes office again, he has a blue-print ready. The third NDA government led by BJP is going to take historic decisions. Modi's third term as Prime Minister will be of amazing all-round development, which cannot be imagined. You have seen how the Prime Minister works.

Question - In a rally, the Prime Minister has said that the government aims to set up two lakh cooperative societies in the next five years and give a boost to the economy of India's rural landscape.

Answer - Yes, the idea is to strengthen the villages and rural economy. We will ensure that not even a kilo of agricultural produce is wasted. The cooperative sector is going to get strengthened. We have examples of cooperative banks, cooperative sugar mills and cooperative milk federations in Maharashtra. A lot can be learnt and inspired from them. In the field of industry also, cooperation can be used in some places and we can move forward.

Question - Onion is produced in many districts of Maharashtra. The farmers here are said to be unhappy with the ban on onion export.

Answer - A ban was imposed on onion export. But now it has been lifted. Now there is no quota on export. Anyone can export as much onion as they want. On the contrary, the government has taken many important steps for the interests of onion producing farmers. They are going to get benefits from these.