BJP plans outreach programmes to woo voters before ’19 polls

NEW DELHI: In the run-up to next year’s general elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi is gearing up for a mega outreach plan to woo people from all sections, particularly Poorvanchalis, Dalits, and Muslims.

Apart from proposing four big rallies in the next couple of months to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah, the state unit has decided to reach out to the Dalit and Muslim intelligentsia to promote welfare schemes launched by the Centre.

“Around 200 prominent members of both communities such as doctors, lawyers, and teachers will be hand-picked. They will be invited to an interactive session with party leaders, where they will be apprised about the central government’s programmes initiated for their communities...they will further educate people they represent,” said Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari.

The first session is likely to be held with people from the Dalit community next week, he said.

To make inroads into Poorvanchali, Dalit, and young voters, the party had planned a series of rallies at Ramlila Maidan to be addressed by national leaders.

“The first rally is being organised for Poorvanchali voters. It will be held in the first week of October. After that, the party will plan separate rallies for Dalits, women, and youths. PM Modi or Shah will be present,” he said.

Party insiders said these events are being touted as a ‘show of strength’ by leaders close to Tiwari and an attempt to silence ‘dissenters’.

“The Poorvanchali vote bank has increased exponentially from 26% to 42%. With these meetings, Tiwari wants to send a ‘message’ to leaders who create an atmosphere of discontent in the party,” said a senior Delhi BJP leader.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Tiwari met former director general of the National Investigation Agency as part of his Sampark for Samarthan (contact for support) programme. Earlier, he had met former law secretary PK Malhotra and Vidharthi Babaji, head of Maharshi Balmiki Mandir, Mandir Marg.

“We are meeting prominent citizens and telling them about the central government’s schemes. We get to know their expectations from the government,” Tiwari said.