Shah to have lunch with Dalits, to meet sadhus in build-up to ’19
ROHTAK: BJP national president Amit Shah will arrive in Rohtak, Haryana’s political capital and a stronghold of former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, on Wednesday on a three-day visit to review state government’s work and gather support for the 2019 Lok Sabha and assembly elections.
The visit comes on the completion of the BJP’s 1,000 days in power in the state, achievements of which are being tomtommed by the government with regular advertisements in newspapers and radio channels.
“In Rohtak, Shah will chair a total of 23 meetings with the members of BJP state executive, MLAs, MPs, district presidents and other party workers,” said Subhash Barala, the party’s state president.
Among Shah’s plans is to have lunch at a Dalit party worker’s house in Rohtak to woo the community ahead of elections in Gujarat and Rajasthan, where the BJP has suffered major setbacks due to Dalits’ protests against increasing crime incidents. In Haryana too, former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda has been attacking the government for neglecting Dalits and their rights.
“Hundreds of Dalits have shown interest in having Shah at their home for lunch. But we are yet to finalise name as of now due to security concerns,” said Shamsher Kharak, BJP Rohtak media in-charge.
Party sources said a meeting between Shah and influential Sadhus and Dera heads of the state is also on the cards. Many sadhus, who have been supporting the saffron party from long for its Hindutva politics, have been on warpath against BJP over abysmal condition of stray cattle in the state.
The BJP chief will also hold meetings with prominent citizens, a list of which has been charted by the state executive. These citizens include retired IAS and IPS officers, teachers and others who will help BJP give suggestions and build up support.
“Shah will be welcomed right from Haryana-Delhi border by CM Khattar. He will stay at Tilyar Lake resort in Rohtak, and hold meetings at BJP office and MDU,” Barala said.