BJP plans district-level panels to sort out block-level issues
Rajasthan BJP plans to form district level coordination committees to sort out differences between party leaders and other issues at the block level. In the absence of state BJP president, the infighting among a section of party leaders has become a cause of concern ahead of the assembly elections later this year.
In a party meeting held in Jaipur recently, state urban development and housing (UDH) minister Srichand Kriplani had pointed out infighting between leaders at block level and expressed concern over its impact on the party’s performance in the coming assembly elections, sources said.
“Some ministers have suggested to the party leadership that members of district level coordination committees should visit each assembly constituency to sort out the issues arising out of difference of opinions between the leaders,” a BJP leader said. The state BJP has also drawn up plans to strengthen polling booth management to counter a resurgent Congress buoyed by victories in byelections held a few months ago. Battling anti-incumbency in Rajasthan, the aim is to mobilise voters to ensure that the party’s key base turns up to vote.
The party has decided to verify and take feedback from the workers at more than 51,000 polling booths across the state. During this period, active and inactive workers of party’s booth unit will be identified. In this regard, each senior leader has been given the responsibility of five blocks, and in addition, all the district heads have been given instruction to increase the activation of booth units.
Sources said that party looks to replicate its successful organisational structure right down to booth-level committees and use vistaraks to ensure that the party’s message reaches voters at the ground level. The booth formation committees have been directed that the welfare schemes launched by centre and state government must reach the voters at booth level.
The BJP is believed to be facing a stronger challenge in Rajasthan, underlined recently in its loss in the bypolls to two Lok Sabha seats and one assembly seat. The party is looking to revamp its organisation in the poll-bound state, and some district presidents may face the axe once the new president takes charge, sources said.
Incidentally, it has been nearly two months since Ashok Parnami resigned from the post of state party chief after being given national responsibility. The BJP is yet to name his successor. Differences between chief minister Vasundhara Raje and BJP chief Amit Shah is the primary reason behind the appointment of a new state unit chief being delayed.
JAIPUR: