AAP effect: BJP strategists rework winning formula
5 April 2015 5:11 AM IST
As the party discussed its electoral performance in several states post its victory in the Lok Sabha polls, it failed to fix responsibility for its unprecedented debacle in the Delhi Assembly polls, for which BJP president Amit Shah directly supervised the campaign.
Sources said unable to find an answer, the party leadership decided to brazen out the issue, focusing at victories in other states and gloss over defeat in the national Capital. Briefing media persons, Union Minister and party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said, “Out of 12 states (which went to polls), it’s BJP government in eight, while we have a coalition government in the remaining states. The year 2014 was a ‘vijay varsh’ (victory year) for us. Even though we lost in one place, one should not forget the BJP’s victories in other states in recent months.”
When asked about the party stand on Delhi debacle, he said, “One should not become arrogant with victories and sad with defeat.” However, a party insider said, “The members of the National Executive took up the Delhi poll debacle issue and pointed out that the party lost due to weakness in the organisation and campaign. President Amit Shah has asked the party’s Delhi unit to strengthen BJP’s base in the national Capital.”
The insider added that in view of Bihar polls, scheduled this year, Shah held a meeting with senior central and state BJP leaders to chalk out an election roadmap, late Friday night. During his inaugural address in the day, Shah termed the Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar as ‘jungle raj-2’. He said that Bihar had returned to ‘jungle raj era’ after his party’s split with the Janata Dal (United).
Talking to media persons, Javadekar quoted the BJP chief saying, “As soon as the JD (U) broke the alliance with the BJP, ‘jungle raj’ had returned in Bihar. This is ‘jungle raj-2’.” He added, “We will work hard and our party president is confident that people will give another chance to the BJP in Bihar.”
Stressing that the Bihar elections would be crucial for the party, Javadekar said, “Last time, the people of Bihar had given their mandate to BJP-JD(U), but JD(U) ditched the mandate and went out of the alliance.
But this time, we are confident that people will give us a chance to serve them again.” To consolidate Dalit votes, the party might reach out to Dalit leader and former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi.
“A new political culture has evolved. So, the party’s focus should remain Dalits, backward communities and farmers in states where we have not fared well. The government has succeeded in protecting the interests of the rural poor,” Shah told party leaders at the meet, while hinting at Bihar elections.
Bihar poll is a major challenge for the BJP because the JD(U) had snapped ties with the party over Narendra Modi’s candidature as the former’s prime ministerial during 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
Modi clears air on Land Bill
Highlighting the NDA government’s achievement in the past 10 months while addressing a public meeting at the National College Ground on Friday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi batted for the Land Bill and tried to appease the people of Karnakata in terms of central funds.
“We will not accept a farmer, selling off his land to arrange money for his son’s job as a peon. They should be respected and we are here to uplift their condition,” Modi said.
Hinting at possible amendments in the Land Bill, he said, “The agriculture sector needs technology, infra upgrade, while farmers need good roads, water in fields and 24x7 power supply. There are people who are trying to mislead the country, but all I can assure that we will never leave the farmers unhappy.”
Sources said unable to find an answer, the party leadership decided to brazen out the issue, focusing at victories in other states and gloss over defeat in the national Capital. Briefing media persons, Union Minister and party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said, “Out of 12 states (which went to polls), it’s BJP government in eight, while we have a coalition government in the remaining states. The year 2014 was a ‘vijay varsh’ (victory year) for us. Even though we lost in one place, one should not forget the BJP’s victories in other states in recent months.”
When asked about the party stand on Delhi debacle, he said, “One should not become arrogant with victories and sad with defeat.” However, a party insider said, “The members of the National Executive took up the Delhi poll debacle issue and pointed out that the party lost due to weakness in the organisation and campaign. President Amit Shah has asked the party’s Delhi unit to strengthen BJP’s base in the national Capital.”
The insider added that in view of Bihar polls, scheduled this year, Shah held a meeting with senior central and state BJP leaders to chalk out an election roadmap, late Friday night. During his inaugural address in the day, Shah termed the Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar as ‘jungle raj-2’. He said that Bihar had returned to ‘jungle raj era’ after his party’s split with the Janata Dal (United).
Talking to media persons, Javadekar quoted the BJP chief saying, “As soon as the JD (U) broke the alliance with the BJP, ‘jungle raj’ had returned in Bihar. This is ‘jungle raj-2’.” He added, “We will work hard and our party president is confident that people will give another chance to the BJP in Bihar.”
Stressing that the Bihar elections would be crucial for the party, Javadekar said, “Last time, the people of Bihar had given their mandate to BJP-JD(U), but JD(U) ditched the mandate and went out of the alliance.
But this time, we are confident that people will give us a chance to serve them again.” To consolidate Dalit votes, the party might reach out to Dalit leader and former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi.
“A new political culture has evolved. So, the party’s focus should remain Dalits, backward communities and farmers in states where we have not fared well. The government has succeeded in protecting the interests of the rural poor,” Shah told party leaders at the meet, while hinting at Bihar elections.
Bihar poll is a major challenge for the BJP because the JD(U) had snapped ties with the party over Narendra Modi’s candidature as the former’s prime ministerial during 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
Modi clears air on Land Bill
Highlighting the NDA government’s achievement in the past 10 months while addressing a public meeting at the National College Ground on Friday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi batted for the Land Bill and tried to appease the people of Karnakata in terms of central funds.
“We will not accept a farmer, selling off his land to arrange money for his son’s job as a peon. They should be respected and we are here to uplift their condition,” Modi said.
Hinting at possible amendments in the Land Bill, he said, “The agriculture sector needs technology, infra upgrade, while farmers need good roads, water in fields and 24x7 power supply. There are people who are trying to mislead the country, but all I can assure that we will never leave the farmers unhappy.”
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