BJP not to go alone in Maharashtra assembly poll, party workers told

In the midst of ‘strong possibility’ of elections going to be held in Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir in October, BJP president Amit Shah — after being relieved from his son’s engagement ceremony in Ahmedabad – back in action and had a marathon of meetings with the state units in the last 48 hours to chalk out strategies to turn these territories in to a saffron belt.

Sources said, in the all the meetings Shah has reportedly told the respective state BJP leaders that there is no question for the party to go alone without taking support from the allies in these states. 

Earlier, there were speculations and allegation within its allies that after a spectacular show in the Lok Sabha election, BJP might go alone in the election especially in Maharashtra with possible infighting over seat sharing with the Shiv Sena. However, Shah categorically told the leaders that they have no plan to fight alone and they are bound to keep the sentiments of its allies especially in Maharashtra.

Shah is aware that for BJP, Maharashtra is crucial because after 15 years they have got an opportunity to reclaim power in the state with the clear mandate in the Lok Sabha poll. Considering a greater chance in the coming election, Shah cannot afford to make any wrong decision, which will hamper party relationship with its allies.

BJP, have a maha-yuti (grand alliance) with Shiv Sena and four smaller parties, and in the Lok Sabha polls, the party along with its allies managed to secure 42 of the 48 constituencies. With good response from the people in the Lok Sabha poll, Shah is hoping that they have a golden opportunity in the coming assembly poll.

Sources said in the meeting it was discussed that seat-sharing talks with the Shiv Sena and other alliance partners in Maharashtra will be held in August.

Shah also met central and state representatives of Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir to discuss poll preparations and on the issue of who will lead the party in these two states. It was learnt that even after having a healthy discussion, Shah failed to come out with the names of leaders who will take the responsibility in mobilizing the masses for better results.

Earlier, there were speculations that Arjun Munda will lead the party in Jharkhand but sources said Shah is not in a hurry to announce the name of Munda and might opt for someone else to take the lead. He also asked the leaders to prepare a report on each Assembly constituency since the state was created and the names of individuals looking to join the BJP.

However, it is expected that Jugal Kishore Sharma will take the lead in Jammu as a state president. Already party leaders in J&K started campaigning through social media, which reads, ‘Mission 44+. Jan Jan ki pukar, aab banani hai J& K main BJP ki sarkar.’

‘He (Shah) asked us to connect with the masses and to take grievances of the people to Delhi before our Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also instructed that all the party leaders should look for young talent who can be a massive crowd puller,’ informed sources said.