CHENNAI:

is set to strengthen its base in

and position itself as a potential contender for the Dravidian legacy. The party has been making concerted efforts to fill the political space created by

and DMK chief, M Karunanidhi's retirement from active politics.

“We have identified 120 constituencies in the state, where the party has improved its fortunes over the years. Full-time members have been deputed for the outreach programme to strengthen our base,“ BJP state president Tamilisai Soundararajan said. National president

is said to have helped evolve the micro-management strategy in the wake of its defeat in the 2016 assembly election.

At least 10,000 office-bearers have been engaged for the Vistarak programme to establish contacts with the people, take the Modi government's achievements to them and rev up the membership drive. The ongoing programme saw 5,000 members already doing their bit to “bring about a change.“

The executive committees from the state to mandal level meet periodically for diverse political activities, including flag hoisting in all 65,000 booths in the state. The party's youth wing will take out a large rally in Chennai on August 7 to demand total prohibition, early civic polls and steps to improve the standards of education. Poonam Mahajan, head of youth wing is scheduled to participate, said BJP state youth wing chief Vinoj P Selvam.

The party is also gearing up for Amit Shah's TN visit on August 22 and 23, during which he is expected to meet OBC leaders. Shah's larger game plan, of course, is to prevent Congress and its ally DMK from filling the vacuum caused by J Jayalalithaa's demise. “His visit is to encourage workers and get them ready for the 2019 polls. His objective is to strengthen the organization,“ said senior leader and Rajya Sabha member L Ganesan. “BJP is a party which does not depend up on weakness of another party. Our base has expanded,“ he said. Sources say there could also be some 'surprise announcements' during Shah's visit.

The

and it is likely that the former chief minister will meet Amit Shah during his TN visit, said sources close to him.

“We don't want any party to split. In fact, we want the AIADMK government to complete its full term. They should maintain the unity ,“ Ganesan said. The two meetings OPS had with Modi, first in Delhi and later in Madurai, in less than a week has jolted chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami's camp. Modi has developed a liking for Jayalalithaa's trusted lieutenant, said a BJP leader. But, the BJP government is not averse to doing business with the EPS camp either, provided Palaniswami keeps the

clan at bay.