Amit Shah tells Maha BJP: Highlight drought steps

The BMC, said to be the richest civic body in the country, is scheduled to go to polls in February next year and the BJP state leadership wants to go alone. BJP president Amit Shah held a meeting with senior party leaders from the state, including chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and state unit chief Rao Sahib Danve, late last Saturday to discuss the issue. The state leadership, it was learnt, was told that they should start preparing to contest the BMC polls alone. The BJP had won 15 out of 36 Assembly constituencies falling in Mumbai region. The BMC polls would also be a test of Mr Fadnavis’ leadership.

The state leadership was apparently told that the civic body elections are as important and crucial for the party as the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, which will likely be held around the same time. The drought in some parts of the state also came up for discussion at the meeting.

Mr Shah, sources said, told the state leaders that measures taken by both the Central and state governments to help drought-affected areas should also be highlighted during campaigning for the BMC polls.

Sources said during the meet the state leadership informed Mr Shah a majority within the BJP state unit are in favour of contesting the BMC polls alone. The BJP is of the view that the “Modi wave” still exists in metropolitan cities and can benefit the party if it contests alone.