To boost BJP’s poll prospects, PM to visit UP more often
NEW DELHI: Starting next month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel more to Uttar Pradesh where assembly polls are due next year, and boost the BJP’s election campaign.
His visits may be twice a month, or even more, sources in the Uttar Pradesh unit of the BJP told Hindustan Times. On an average, Modi has travelled to the state at least once a month since April.
“We are working out his programme. The plan is to have more rallies of the Prime Minister. It shall be finalised soon,” a party official said.
The BJP is banking of Modi’s popularity to win power in Uttar Pradesh, where the party won 71 of the 80 available Lok Sabha seats in the 2014 general elections. The Modi charisma is all the more needed because the party has not declared a candidate for the chief minister’s post.
Finding a face for the top job in Uttar Pradesh before the polls has become a tricky affair for the BJP, which has several aspirants but few having a state appeal.
Home minister Rajnath singh who was sounded out to take up a formal role in Uttar Pradesh is reluctant to return to state politics, which he dominated about a decade ago.
The BJP felt Singh was its best bet. He is the senior-most among
THE MODI CHARISMA IS ALL THE MORE NEEDED BECAUSE THE PARTY HAS NOT DECLARED A CANDIDATE FOR THE CHIEF MINISTER’S POST
BJP leaders from Uttar Pradesh and has acceptability across the state among BJP functionaries and supporters. His presence would also minimise the chances of factionalism. But the party is not willing to force a decision on him.
Apart from Modi, Singh will be a key party campaigner in the state. Sultanpur MP Varun Gandhi and Union minister Kalraj Mishra have their own strength and weaknesses.
Gandhi does not enjoy the confidence of BJP chief Amit Shah and Mishra’s age is not with him as he more than 75. “Given the circumstances, Modi is BJP’s only hope to bank on,” a party leader said.