Now, riding on what is widely seen as a "Modi wave", the party appears set to return to power in the world's largest democracy.
Both Naqvi and Rao said the BJP was aware of the many problems a new government would have to grapple with.
"We know what the challenges are," Rao said. "There are a lot of expectations from the BJP, and there is also a lot of urgency in areas such as the slackening economy.
"We will have to ensure there is a growth spur. But all these cannot happen overnight, also the measures to ensure these results will have to be started at once.
