BJP’s main thrust was on the three poll-bound states, followed by the larger strategy of getting “a bigger maj... Read More

(This story originally appeared in on Aug 29, 2018)

(This story was originally published in the Economic Times on 29/08/2018.)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a stock-taking exercise with BJP chief ministers and deputy CMs to know the status of the implementation of various central schemes, the political atmosphere in the respective states and the challenges, even as he directed the party brass to gear up for the general elections early next year.

Modi’s leadership and charisma, the sympathy for the BJP over the passing away of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee , the Centre’s outreach to weaker sections, including Dalits and OBCs, and the seven key social welfare schemes of the NDA government are likely to be the core issues on which BJP will base its 2019 Lok Sabha election campaign.

The day-long meeting at BJP headquarters saw the chief ministers making presentations over the state of affairs in their states. The main focus was on the poll-bound states of Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh. A discussion was held on how to ensure victory in the three states. The leaders accepted the need for tailor-made strategies for the three states, keeping in mind the specific challenges.

Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje and her Madhya Pradesh counterpart Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasised the impact of the yatras undertaken by them in their states. However, Raje is said to be in a precarious position, with reports of protests during her yatra.

Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh told reporters after the meeting that the PM reviewed the progress made in implementing the Centre’s welfare schemes in the BJP-ruled states.

Modi also underscored the various measures taken by his government for the welfare of farmers and the rural poor. He specifically mentioned the hike in minimum support price of Kharif crops by 1.5 times the cost of production. Parliament giving constitutional status to the OBC Commission, the amendment to the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act to restore the status quo, and the issue of National Register of Citizens that is aimed at checking illegal migration from Bangladesh also figured at the meeting. Singh said the party has a clear view on NRC — that it will not allow illegal migration. Modi also referred to the citizenship amendment bill that is pending in Parliament.

BJP’s main thrust was on the three poll-bound states, followed by the larger strategy of getting “a bigger majority in 2019 Lok Sabha polls than the one achieved in 2014” and making “Modi PM again”. Singh said the PM emphasised on “garib kalyan (welfare of the poor)”.

The party also noted the tremendous response from the people towards the BJP during the immersion of Vajpayee’s ashes in different parts of the country. Singh reiterated that Modi will be the face of the BJP campaign in 2019 and the party will fight the polls under his leadership.

