Yogi to be poster boy for saffron party’s high-octane campaign
SHIMLA: Three days after All India Congress Committee (AICC) vice president Rahul Gandhi sounded poll bugle in Mandi’s Paddal ground, opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has drawn a strategy for high-octane campaign to bolster its electioneering, as it has decided to pitch in Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath along with battery of central leaders.
UP chief minister Adityanath, known for his blunt oratory, will campaign for BJP candidates in different constituencies.
“Adityanathjee will tour state” state party chief Satpal Singh Satti told Hindustan Times.
Adityanath Yogi is expected to hold rallies in Chamba, Kullu, Sirmaur districts, while other national leaders will also galvanise campaign. The other key leaders who will visit state include information and broadcasting minister Smriti Irani. Irani had been visited the state couple of times, during her tenure as a Union minister, for different functions and campaigning in Himachal.
Besides Irani, BJP national president Amit Shah will also tour the state. Shah himself had been at the forefront devising the election strategy.
Recently, he addressed Yuva Hunkar Rally in state’s sensitive Kangra district.
BJP will also rely on home minister Rajnath Singh’s proximity to Himachal’s voters. Singh had toured state extensively during 2012 assembly elections. While Union surface and transport minister Nitin Gadkari, who toured Shimla and Kullu district in last elections, this time will also visit the state.
“Dates for the rallies and programmes are being finalised” said Satti. The saffron party, however, will not use Bollywood actors and film stars for campaigning this time.
BJP CONSTITUTES-16 MEMBER POLL PANEL
BJP has constituted a 16-member selection committee for the ticket distribution in HP.
However, BJP has decided on the final names for the majority of seats, but the final nod will be given by Amit Shah.
Soon, after the announcement of election, BJP will hold meeting in New Delhi to finalise the list and party’s parliamentary board will take the final call.