PM’s popularity down: BJP spokesperson

A booklet released by state BJP spokesperson Shweta Shalini states that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity has gone down to 15 per cent from 45 per cent in two years. She conducted the research to emphasise the importance of the war room she had set up to promote chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and the party in Mumbai.

Ms Shalini released the booklet on the eve of the state BJP’s 37th foundation day, which is being celebrated on Wednesday. According to the booklet, 40 per cent of the people who were attracted to the BJP in 2013-14 were supporters of Mr Modi. The percentage of Mr Modi supporters has come down to 25 per cent in 2016. The number is equal to that of Mr Fadnavis’ supporters.

Ms Shalini had circulated the booklet at the party executive meeting in Nashik on Sunday after she made a presentation on a war room.

Ms Shalini’s presentation also mentioned that 45 per cent came close to the BJP in 2013-14 because of its party workers. In 2016, only 15 per cent workers influenced the people to come close to the party. She has also concluded that 10 per cent of the people support BJP because the party is in power at the Centre as well in the state.

Ms Shalini, chief of the war room, has assured party bosses that her team would work on eight areas, including research and analysis, media relations, maintaining direct contact with the people using technology, election management and event management.

Ms Shalini claimed that she did not mean Mr Modi’s popularity had declined. “I have stated that both Modiji and Devendraji enjoy an equal number of supporters. That means Devendraji’s supporters are on the rise. Earlier, there was no rise. Now, people believe that the working style of both Modiji and Devendraji are identical,” she told select reporters on Tuesday.

She also said that the figures show that the workers’ valuation has gone down. “Nowadays many people are coming to BJP. They are ordinary people as well as karyakartas too. What I mean is BJP’s valuation as a party is growing among the people,” she said. Ms Shalini’s senior, another spokesperson Madhu Chavan, refused to comment on the issue.