'No Speaking Out of Turn…': In Lok Sabha Poll Huddle, BJP Asks 'Prabharis' to Focus on Centre’s Work

The BJP on Saturday called all its state charges and co-incharges to discuss and strategise on the work to be done, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Chaired by national president JP Nadda and national general secretary BL Santhosh, the meeting was focused on achieving the target of 370 seats, set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sources said the top leadership asked the incharges to approach the upcoming polls with seriousness and dedication. “While working on the ground, everyone must show that it is a coordinated effort of leaders who have been given the responsibility by the Centre, along with the state team,” they told CNN-News18.

They further said it was discussed that the thrust must remain on the work done by the Narendra Modi-led government in the Centre in the last 10 years. “Every leader on the ground must connect with as many people as possible to tell them about the work done by the government, and that it has long-term plans of staying in power and working for the cause of the public,” said another source.

To avoid attention being diverted from the government’s work, several leaders have been asked not to speak out of turn. “Any controversial statements and speaking without prior permission should be completely avoided. Nobody should fall into the trap of the opposition and give them an opportunity to create a controversy,” said a source.

In the run-up to the elections, it is quite possible that the BJP is focusing on viability alone. ‘Prabharis’, or incharges, must be prepared to handle any untoward situation charged up with emotion.

“The party must reach out to candidates and explain to them that the party’s interest comes first,” said sources.

Unlike last time, the party will focus on holding smaller public gatherings and programmes, largely at the shakti, kendra and booth level. “Big public rallies result in the use of multiple resources, including influential people. Only Prime Minister Modi and a couple of other leaders will hold big public meetings. Other leaders will focus on smaller meetings so that there can be more of these,” a source said.

In the last week of January, the BJP had appointed election incharges and co-incharges for 23 states and UTs, including big states like UP, Bihar and West Bengal. In a major assignment, Jay Panda was appointed the election boss of UP, which is the state that brings 80 seats. In Bihar, where the BJP hatched a coup by forming a government with Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), national general secretary Vinod Tawde is incharge while Rajya Sabha MP Deepak Prakash will be co-incharge. Bihar sends 40 MPs to the Lok Sabha.

The BJP will go to campaign on two major themes – Hindutva and development. While the newly inaugurated Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir will prominently feature in rallies, campaign songs and speeches, the party will also underscore government schemes like piped water, free housing for the poor, free ration, mediclaim through Ayushman Bharat among others.