BJP prepares for 2019 Lok Sabha polls

On the second day of the BJP national council meet here on Saturday, party president Amit Shah asked the state leadership to prepare a list of candidates for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The meeting also decided to spread Antyodaya Anna Yojana scheme launched by former Jan Sangh president Deendayal Upadhyaya.

The party is now focussing on Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka collectively sending 87 MPs but it had won only 18 seats in 2014. The party drew a blank in Kerala.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had set a target of 12 for Kerala at its core committee meeting in New Delhi last month.

“Mr Shah has asked to prepare a list of likely candidates for all the 20 seats. He also asked us to make a list of local favourites with a winning chance,” said a top BJP leader.

But at the same time, he knows it is not a realistic target with the CPM-dominated northern parts almost unassailable.

Organising general secretary Ramlal had reported to the council that the schemes of Mr Upadhyaya had not reached the masses yet.

Mr Shah asked all state presidents to undertake such projects, reminding them that the CPM had promoted this concept in Kerala almost ten years ago.

The Prime Minister is expected to meet Bishop Remigius Inchananiyil of Roman Thamarassery diocese and Bishop Varghese Chakkalakkal of Latin Catholic diocese here at West Hill Government Guest House late Saturday night.

Their demands include protection of high range farmers when Kasturirangan report is being considered and efforts to address the fall in prices of rubber and coconut.

On Sunday, the concluding day, at the Swapnanagari grounds, Mr Modi is expected to announce political and economic resolutions.

He gave a fitting reply to Pakistan on the Uri terror attack at his public rally on the Kozhikode beach. He is expected to sit through the whole session on Sunday which is open to the media.