Battle 2019: BJP deploys 11-member election-teams under 543 poll 'prabharis'
The BJP is gearing up with full force for the 2019 battle. For the first time, it is deploying one in-charge in each of the 543 Lok Sabha seats to oversee preparations. These incharges, or 'prabhari,' would be helped by 11-member teams, which will look after specific assignments. No prabhari will be allotted to their own constituency, a senior party leader told HT.
Teams will look after social media, implementation of schemes, etc
The 11-member "Chunav Taiyari Toli" (election preparation group) includes a three-member social media team, a three-member media engagement team, a three-member legal team, and a two-member team for monitoring implementation of government schemes. They have been asked to prepare detailed reports on social issues, opposition strategy, possibility of alliances, and those intending to join the party, among others.
Amit Shah to hold brainstorming sessions with election teams
Meanwhile, party chief Amit Shah is on a tour of various states, which started earlier in June. He is expected to cover all by July end. During his visits, Shah will hold brainstorming sessions with the prabhari, the 11-member poll teams, RSS workers and other full-time volunteers involved in expansion. Each general secretary has been assigned states to follow up on after Shah's visit.
A test for incumbent BJP MPs
BJP has roped in RSS' 'Sangathan Mantris' to assess work done by its MPs, whether they enjoy people's support and whether they've taken party cadre along- key indicators of whether they might be elected again. According to a senior leader, public perception will be the most important determining factor of an incumbent MP's potential candidature. Reports say 30% of sitting MPs will be dropped.
BJP mulls alliances with regional parties amid opposition fears
After recent high-profile losses, mostly thanks to a united opposition, BJP is wary, especially in some states. In Karnataka, the Congress-JD(U) combine managed to form government, while in UP, Samajwadi Party joined hands with BSP for local elections. To neutralize such threats, the BJP is apparently mulling alliances with smaller parties, reports claim. Its latest team deployment plans also give it the 'first-mover' edge.
BJP will win 300+ seats in 2019: Piyush Goyal
Days ago, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal had expressed confidence that the BJP will win 300+ seats in the 2019 polls; in 2014, it had won 282, with the NDA government securing a total of 336 seats.
