BJP’s ‘Atal Bandhan’ to counter ally Shiv Sena

The BJP has launched ‘Atal Bandhan’ initiative to counter the Shiv Sena’s ‘Shiv Bandhan’ in the backdrop of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections scheduled in February next year. With the aim of reaching out to one crore people in the state, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis launched the programme here with Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar tying a thread on his wrist.

Though it is said that the ‘Atal Bandhan’ (Atal thread) is similar to the Shiv Bandhan, a senior BJP leader said it is only to show the cadres’ bonding and loyalty towards the party.

The Shiv Sena, the BJP’s ally, had launched the ‘Shiv Bandhan’ programme before 2014 Assembly polls where party workers and leaders sported a thread on their wrists to declare loyalty to the Uddhav Thackeray-led party.

“Atal Bandhan would not only be an emotional bond but an unbreakable bond of development, faith and unity. We have launched it between two of the most celebrated occasions, Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan,” said Prasad Lad, who conceived the programme.

“Raksha Bandhan has special significance for RSS, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee is our beloved leader,” Mr Lad said.

BJP workers and supporters will sport the thread on their hands and also reach out to the common people and tie it on their hands and take a pledge to fulfil the dreams of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, said Mr Lad.

They will also apprise the people of various developmental works undertaken by the Central and the state governments.