BJP plans massive drive to reconnect with masses

Lucknow: Unnerved by reports of its slipping popularity graph, the BJP in Uttar Pradesh has decided to embark on a massive programme that will cover every nook and corner of the state before Lok Sabha elections.

Over the next two months, the BJP will be holding 168 programmes across the state and these will include mass contact programmes, bike rallies, interactions with the beneficiaries of welfare schemes run by central and state governments, meeting with booth level workers and padyatras in every assembly segment.

The programmes will continue till January 4 after which the party leadership will review the progress and decide the next phase of programmes.

UP BJP general secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak said that these programmes were not to be seen in any particular context.

“The BJP believes in remaining in action mode and we have not taken a break after the 2014 elections. We believe in keeping our cadres busy. These programmes are designed to maintain a contact with the people and engaging our party workers in consolidating the party at the booth level. Our ‘vistaraks’ are constantly working towards this”, he said.

A senior party functionary, however, said that reports coming in from the ground zero in Uttar Pradesh indicated towards growing resentment against sitting BJP MPs and the party wanted to counter this at the earliest.

“Based on these reports, the party may change candidates in some Lok Sabha constituencies but we do not want the new candidates to face the anti-incumbency factors. We have put our entire party machinery on the job and our cadres will not only mobilize themselves before the polls but will also create an atmosphere favorable for the party,” he said.